Come, they told him pa rum pa pum pum

As I start this piece this snowy Vermont morning I am digging into my new holiday traditional breakfast: Holiday Capt' Crunch!! Yum. The breakfast of wanna be champions. Seriously though it is a beautiful morning. 4 " of brand new snow is on the ground insuring a white Christmas here in the North country.

Lisa is on her last official day for 2010, as is my oldest, Kayleigh. As soon as she is done, she and Eddie will be here for a week. Allie, Ryan and Miles will be coming over at 10 on Christmas morning to open gifts. That is if we can hold Jon and Simon off till then. It is great how my family get's bigger each year. I look forward to the holiday's that we all get to be together. Makes me greatful for them and their journying home. It's a gift that costs nothing but it is the most precious of all.

It is sad to me though as I think this morning about the grumpiest of people this time of year. Now I am speaking of my world here, but it seems that those who have the most material posessions are the least happy and greatful. Sad. If they really understood what Christmas was about they would be happy with the free gift given them. I remember the year that I had no job at Christmas. It was a lean year and we asked the kids what the one thing was they wanted. They didn't ask for much and were blessed on Christmas morning. I got a pair of socks that year, but I also got the huge blessing of love, health and happiness from each of my kids. I suppose that is why I love the "Little Drummer Boy" song so much. The little sprout had nothing but his drum to give. His gift of music, born out of love and recognition of the Christ Child. This is one of my favorite versions.

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY: IT AIN'T YER GRAMMA'S VERSION


As you and your's gather together this Christmas, remember it's not about what is under the tree. It's who is around it. Enjoy the time, rejoice in great company and celebrate the holiday. You never know if next year someone may be missing or at war or graduated to glory. The greatest gift given was laid in a feeding trough some 2000 years ago. It is he who has come, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So come and behold him and rejoice that "today, in the city of David, a Saviour has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord." [Luke 2]