The new son...

Thirty-nine years ago, my husband left town for three days on business. I assured him our baby would be born while he was gone. He didn't agree, so off he went. At 1:00am that morning, I awoke with contractions. My mother-in-law took me to the hospital and our baby was born that afternoon. When I called my husband to inform him he had a new son, his response was "of course I do". "No, really!!" I exclaimed. He really thought I was teasing him, so I had him speak to the nurse who convinced him, that yes, he did have a new son. That son has never ceased to amaze us. He's talented, smart, funny, and an all-around great guy. I love you, son!! and always will!!

"The Night Before Christmas...a grandparents tale"

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The house was decked out, the porch lit up bright,
We’d put up our feet for a long silent night.

When, out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
We sprang from our chairs to see what was the matter.
Away to the window we flew like a flash,
Tore open the blinds and looked through the glass.

The moon on the crest of our driveway below
Gave a luster supplied by electrical glow.
When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But three mini-vans, a Honda, and a Suburban out there!

More rapid than beagles the grandchildren came,
And we whistled and shouted and called them by name:
Now Jared! Now Nathan! Now Jacob & Ben!
On Ali, On Tyler, On Kaelie Christine!

Come Natalie, Ashley, Emma & Katelyn!
Andrew & Avery & Audrey Lurleen!
To the top of the porch to the top of the hall,
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
So up to the house the children they flew,
With Toby & Molly, the grand-dogs, too!

They were dressed in pajamas from their heads to their feet,
And they begged us for candy and other sweet treats,
A bundle of toys we had hidden out back
And we brought it all out fearing frontal attack.

Their eyes—how they twinkled! Their dimples, how merry!
Their cheeks were like roses, their noses like cherries!
Their droll little mouths were drawn up like bright bows,
And their faces lit up like candles aglow!

They were chubby and plump, like good little elves,
And we laughed when we saw them, in spite of ourselves.
They opened their gifts and filled up their bellies
That shook when they laughed, like bowls full of jelly.

Then they sprang to their feet, as their parents gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like a guided missile,
And we heard them exclaim, ‘ere they drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

~ Christmas 2008

Two from Galilee

I just finished reading the book "Two From Galilee" by Marjorie Holmes. I read this book many years ago and have decided I will read it again every year at Christmas time. Not only does it tell the beautiful Christmas story, but it also describes the difficulties faced by Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem and prepared for the birth of the baby Jesus. "No room in the inn," they were told. Surely God would provide a place for His son to be born. Surely the baby would not be born in a lowly stable. Surely God would not require the same pains of birth for His son. Surely that which began as a miracle would end in a miracle. Surely angels would lift her up and spare her the agony of birth. 'But, alas, he came forth out of Mary, his mother, and Joseph held him up for her to see. And they looked upon him together and marveled at him, his wholeness, infinitely small and red and perfectly formed. And when he squirmed in Joseph's arms and uttered his first cry, the thrill of all mankind ran through both of them, for this was life, human life, and they knew that indeed a miracle had been achieved.'

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2: 11