Christmas Longings

This morning was the second day in a row that Kevin has successfully managed to get me up early enough so we can have “family devotions” together. We’d become really lax on this, unfortunately, and now we’re trying to be better, thanks to Kevin’s lead. We’re now reading Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest. It might seem odd to you that we began a devotional at the end of the year, rather than on January 1, but that’s just how it worked out. This morning we read something about how we’re all under a “death sentence” but for Christ. It made me think of the media brouhaha on whether or not Scott Peterson is going to get the death penalty. (Which, if you’re like me, you’re really sick of hearing about it.) The truth of the matter is – Peterson already has a death sentence. It’s not a question of “if,” it’s a question of “when.”

Yesterday I was really bemoaning the fact that, although it’s nearly mid-December, I haven’t yet had a chance to decorate the house or do anything especially Christmasy. Another reason I was having a pity-party is the fact that I only get one evening this week to do anything with Kevin (last night). Tonight I’m going to the Bay Area for a work-related thing and the rest of the evenings Kevin will be rehearsing for his Christmas concert this weekend. So, last night, we went and ran a bunch of errands to get garland and bows for the staircase, stocking hangers so we don’t have to punch holes into the fireplace, etc., for the house. It was fun, and a big relief to get it all done (although we still haven’t got the tree). Soon our home will look festive and merry – and I can’t wait!

As we were driving home, Kevin decided to be spontaneous and veered off into a nearby neighborhood to search for Christmas lights and other ornamentation. We found some really cool houses, completely decked out. One house had lights strung back and forth all across its roof. (I secretly wondered what their electric bill must be like - but think it’s fabulous to see such spirit!) It was a good evening to look at Christmas lights because it had been raining all day and the streets, glistening with wetness, made the lights seem to bounce and dance off the streets.