Happy Birthday Jesus...

simple beauty

The second candle

This week we lit the second candle in our Advent wreath.  It is the Bethlehem Candle.  It reminds us of Mary and Joseph and the amazing journey they took from Nazareth to register for the Roman census and pay their taxes.  Funny how God got them just where they needed to be to fulfill the prophet Micah's prediction:

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 

Too little to be among the clans of Judah,

From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.

His goings forth are from long ago,

From the days of eternity.  Micah 5:2

We read this week of how amazing it is that Mary and Joseph didn't seem to fuss about trying to be in Bethlehem for the birth.  They certainly would have known the prophecy.  How many times do I fuss about how to make things happen instead of resting in the plans of the Holy One?  

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world give do I give to you.  

Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."  

Jesus to the disciples, John 14:27

my budding scientist...

I didn't see it coming...  "Mom!  Do we have any science books?"  She was looking for all kinds of science books to deepen her  knowledge for some intensive competition at her science class.  She just loves, loves, loves science!  (Thank you, Shelley, we and the world are indebted to you forever as she'll probably find the cure for something.  She does have her dad's brains...)  I caught her memorizing the periodic table instead of doing spelling.  What's a mom to do?

a busy Thanksgiving morning

This is my Livie dancing with the cheerleaders in the Macy's parade...Hope is glued as well to the production, not missing a step or a note...  (see the laundry piled up?  keeping it real...)

And, she did a wonderful job sorting the cranberries.