A Day of Sharing in the Spirit of Christmas

We had such a wonderful Saturday, today.

Mary Clare and I were up early, to say good-bye to my husband and Jacob, who were headed out to 7:30 am Mass and a Men's Retreat at our parish. Tom (my hubby) was giving a talk on being a "Christian Man and Living a Christian Family Life" and Jacob was giving one on "The Gift of Celebrating Christmas in a Christian Way".

I sipped my coffee and Mary Clare enjoyed some warm milk. She colored Christmas pictures and I read my emails and the news online.

When the other children woke up and after they'd had a small breakfast, we set to work doing our Saturday chores. I had discovered something VERY special and exciting on Facebook and I told the kids that if we worked hard to get our chores done early, we could participate.

A local movie theater, which is the old-fashioned kind that still shows films from a "reel" machine...posted on FB, that thanks to the courtesy of a nearby Moose Lodge, who wanted to wish the community a Merry Christmas, all families were invited to attend a 2 o'clock showing of  the new "Smurfs" movie FOR FREE!

WOW! What a treat!

We waited for Jacob to get back home, had some lunch, and headed out to the theater. It was such fun and we were delighted to come out after the movie to find that it was pouring down SNOW! Our van was parked many blocks away from the movie-house so we enjoyed walking in the Winter Wonderland together.

We had burritos for supper when we got home and headed back out the door to take a meal of sausage, potatoes, and string beans to an elderly man from our parish who is in poor health and has trouble making-do for himself full-time. A couple times a month, a small group of us take turns taking dinners to him. My girls and I really enjoyed our visit; as we always do. Mr. S. LOVES to talk about art and books and writing and LIFE.
His JOY shines through his twinkling eyes and ear-to-ear grin. He always has a warm fire going and we feel so warm and cozy and welcome when we enter into his home.

I love days like today. We prayed, we worked, we played, and we served.

That's the true Spirit of Christmas.

I feel so blessed.