And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

This is the Nativity story, Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1 to 14, King James Version

Yes, I am Catholic (though more Spiritual than died-in-the-wool Catholic).  But I grew up Baptist and the language of the King James Version of The Bible is the Bible of my childhood and is so beautiful.

I wish each of you, no matter your beliefs this time of year, a Peaceful and Joyful holiday season.  May you be surrounded in love.

(The painting is The Adoration of the Christ Child by Domenico di Zanobi and is from the Philadelphia Museum of Art)

Work stress – and all the mess with closing one career down had left me so not in the “spirit”. The pieces of Christmases from my marriage….brought back to me some of the lovely moments, but mostly, it left me needing to deal with some of the things I avoided the last couple of years. I purged quite a bit. I blessed another family with boxes of decorations, including the angel topper i purchased the first year of my marriage. I sent a couple of boxes of items back to my ex-husband…. My tree this year is filled with the ornaments of my children’s Christmases, a few ornaments from my childhood….and the few birds I purchased this year.

We went to my sisters last night….and I realized last night that the drive to my sisters is very reminiscent of the drive to my Aunt’s, where we typically spent Christmas Eve when I was a child. I can remember driving home late on Christmas Eve…just dying for Santa…and struggling to keep from falling asleep on the half hour drive home.

It hit me when we passed the giant Cement Factory…at night, all lit up, it looks like a huge steamship. Now, as the mom, I am driving…

The ghosts of my childhood are both good and bad, typical likely of many…..My mother is, well, my mother. Often childhood was a struggle of spending time with one side of the family vs the other side. Mentally ill (or emotionally abusive) parents often put children in more of the position of caregivers….but I never noticed the issues until I got a little older….maybe 5th grade or so?

During my marriage, I gained some courage to step away from my parents at times. It took even more courage to step back into their lives.

The Ghost of Christmas Present did well. After dinner at my sisters, where I got to hold and love on my 6 day old great-nephew, the girls and I came home and watched a movie. Em and I stayed up another hour talking….a very good talk – about what she wants in the future…and to discuss some of the stress we are both going through right now.

After a very leisurely morning…and the youngest heading to her dad’s….I had dinner with Em’s boyfriend’s family. They were so kind and welcoming…and I can tell that they love my daughter.

Now the house is blessedly quiet. Greta is snoozing beside me….and it’s time to climb into bed, write in my Gratitude Journal…and get some much needed sleep.

I hope the Ghosts of Christmas Present were kind to you this year….and that the Ghosts of Christmases Past weren’t too bothersome.