I tell you, I can highly recommend being in the Church during Advent. Having a focus for Christmas other than just shopping and errands is so peaceful and calming. I look forward to singing "Oh Come, Emmanuel" each year. In the Catholic world, there's a certain faction that disapproves of "early" Christmas and insists on celebrating the Christmas season after the birth of Christ, but for me, I've been listening to beautiful Christmas carols in the car to and from work, and it has lifted my spirits. Unless your whole family celebrates the 12 Days of Christmas until the Ephiphany, it's pretty much over by noon on Christmas Day. I think the carols, baking and all the wrapping presents, putting up the tree, etc., help with the anticipation of Christmas. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I love the Christmas lights, too - I remember when we lived in the mountain cabins, how cheering it was to see Christmas lights around the windows, twinkling in the darkness and cold. It is a moment of light amid the darkness. Many of the streets here don't have street lights and the Christmas decorations really stand out.

I'm loving Christmas this year - the mild weather has helped and we haven't had any giant disasters like last year, when Frank was in the hospital in a coma for 10 days. Keep on praying that we'll have a peaceful Christmas this year! I'm eagerly anticipating going to Ellen's the two days following Christmas, following my first time to lector at my new church on Christmas Day. Now, keep Karl and his dad's family in our prayers this Christmas season.