a thrill of hope.

Christmas.

I've always been more of an Easter gUrl...more celebration in the redemption and the life that came through Jesus' death than blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Not that his birth isn't just as important, but I've just never been as pumped about it. After all, it's his death and his resurrection that makes Him different. But, lately I've been thinking about it...thinking about the Hope it brought, the peace He came with, the story of His father's ever-lasting love He was going to tell. And yeah, His death made Him different, but...so did his freakin' birth.

I mean, an angel came to Mary, said, "Yo! You're pretty high up on God's list, so you're going to have His son...I know, I know, you're a virgin, but don't be scared. The spirit of the Lord will be with you. Just trust me, ok? Oh yeah, I know you've always wanted to name a son Aiden Francis, but go with Jesus. PEACE."

LIKE, WHAT?!

I mean, that's a pretty different way to be born...and He lived a much different life than I do. There's cause for celebration in that. Celebration in the fact that His life gives us life. His words give us life. He is life. That makes me want to have one heck of a burrday par-tay.

These lyris from "O Holy Night" ring so true today...

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

A thrill of hope, indeed. A thrill of hope in something other than ourselves and this ugly world around us. The hope of a Savior. The hope of redemption.

Merry Christmas internetS, you're getting life and freedom from sin.

Happy Burrday Jesus, you're the living example of "giving is better than receiving."

gb.

I miss this woman everyday, but especially this time of year as I realize how much of a grown-up I am...There are no more stockings with money...no more matching sweatsuits under the tree...no more underwear stuffed in a stocking that is so big a baby elephant could wear it...no more magic biscuits...no more sleeping in the same room as four other kids...

We've moved on to Wii bowling and wine and Sister Schubertt rolls...but, I can still fit into the underwear. So, it's a win.

Here's to Bonnie Cowling.

'tis the season.

I'm guessing this was Christmas 1984. Obviously, the Brosef got a CareBear and I got overfed.

The Reg still has that shirt in his closet and I'm still overfed.

'Tis the season, indeed.

crimmas list.

Very recently I received an e-mail from my mother with the subject line, "OK kids- it's Christmas," and although it was sent before Thanksgiving and it wasn't actually Christmas, she still asked for my wants and needs in this, the year of our Lord, 2010. Upon opening the e-mail I found these words, "Lists, suggestions- no ponies, please! All reasonable suggestions will be considered..." As you can imagine, this was a direct shot at me and my heart and every crimmas list I've ever compiled. I found myself asking the question, "What IS a reasonable suggestion if the ONE thing in this world I've always wanted and never been given is a pony?!" In an effort to be more reasonable than ever before, I've compiled a list of crimmas goodies that I would be ecstatic to unwrap and re-gift in future years.

Dear Family and Friends,

I've compiled the following wants in list form so that you might venture out into a retail store and purchase one or more of these items. Some items may be found on the internetS. I thank you in advance for your generosity and per the usual, I promise to not SELL or giveaway any items you purchased in my name until June, at the earliest.

1. A lock of Franklin Pierce's hair. (I realize this is a bit of a stretch, but you claim to love me, so...)

2. A trip to Disney with the whole family.

3. A hair cut.

4. A pony.

5. Anything with the word "deluxe" in the title.

6. The moon.

Thank you for kind consideration.

merry crimmas,

lc