I have nothing to say

I don’t know why, there just isn’t really anything I want to convey right now.  So this will likely be my last post until after Christmas.  I said “likely” because I’m not all that good at placing these kinds of restrictions on myself!

A few teency news items for you in the meantime:

- We managed to stick to our (figurative) guns and buy only fair-trade, hand-made or locally-produced items this Christmas.  The girls and I cooked up a very yummy storm, I have now bought my last gift and everybody is accounted for – even Kris Kringle at work!  I just hope our friends and family understand a little of our thoughts behind this and “get” why their kids presents aren’t plastic and glitzy.  It actually feels a little odd that it’s the Christmas shopping season and I haven’t even stepped into K Mart since November!

- We are going on a “Road to Bethlehem” re-creation of the night of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Eve Eve, which we are hoping will really bring the story to life for our girls so it’s no longer just pictures on the pages of a book.  Apparently it’s a really well-done one run by a Catholic church in Thornbury.  Looking forward to it.  Tonight is a little less spiritual – our annual Christmas Lights pilgrimage, where we drive the girls around in their pyjamas and look at the most gaudy and lit up houses in the area.  They love it.  We cringe and wonder about their electricity bills.

- Our girls finished the school year with stellar reports as usual, and we’re immensely proud of both of them.  They are doing the big move up this year – Stephanie to middle primary school and Ashley to senior primary school (primary = elementary for you US of A peoples).

- We are heading off to the in-laws for Christmas and gathering with their whole family of Italians to eat too much and talk too loud.  We are also making an effort to spend some time with as many of my family as we can, which is part of our “Christmas ethic” this year – spending TIME.  We will also make sure we set aside time for worship together, part of which will be at our church gathering on Sunday, part in response to our “Road to Bethlehem” experience and part will be whatever comes at the time.

So since there are only a few days before Christmas I will get in early and take this opportunity to wish you all a very blessed time as you gather together with those you love and continue building the kingdom of God in whatever shape that takes in and around your life.  Thank you all so much for sticking around here and talking with me and each other.  Every single one of you has added to my life and I really, really do appreciate you.

Some parting words from Paul:

 

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.