Anything But A Silent Night

Merry Christmas Eve to all!!!!!!!!

Today will be busy and filled with the all the last minute preparations and the beginning of festivities and our family traditions.

I will run around like a chicken with head cut off trying to meet time deadlines. While the Weasels (and their Momma) reach critical mass and risk spontaneous combustion with excitement levels reaching Richter scale readings.

Then, just before FEMA needs to be called, it will be time for my favorite part of the Christmas celebration, Christmas Eve Mass. As a family we will dress and go to our church with 100's of others and their critical mass children. The sanctuary will be filled with joy, excitement and anticipation. The music, readings, Gospel and the celebration of the Eucharist during Mass will bring Joy and Peace to my heart.

The Weasel family will return home to exchange gifts from each other before getting ourselves in bed in time for Santa and his Elves to arrive and work their magic. We will awaken to find the glimmer and shimmer of ribbons, bows and wrap illuminated by our tree all a twinkle in a moment of Christmas magic of uncompromising beauty with Weasel eyes twinkling in excitement, Peace and relief of knowing that they made the Nice List.

I have a glorious 24 hours ahead of me, but this will always remain my most cherished part, courtesy of Luke:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it, wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Merry Christmas to all and wishing you all the joys and peace of the blessings of Christ, our greatest gift*.

* I also wish Joy and Peace and the blessings of God for my non Christian friends ~ even the atheists.