Merry Christmas

It's late at night on Christmas Eve. My brain has long since gone into shutdown mode, but there's still work to be done. My daughter is fast asleep in the next room, having conked out during our annual pilgrimage to Bishop Hills to see the lights and then wakened briefly for milk, medicine, and her nightly Bible story.

We weren't sure about the tree this year until Brontë specifically asked about it, so I got the medium-sized tree out of the attic and hung some of the decorations on it. Her big present has been assembled next to it, and a variety of little presents are underneath. Tiffany and I are still up, working on last-minute setup and some laundry so we can dress her up tomorrow.

For the first time in nine years, I don't have to go into work to change the backup tapes on a holiday, so I'm really looking forward to that. We'll just be able to pack up tomorrow and head to my mother-in-law's house for Christmas lunch. It's all looking pretty good, all things considered.

As is my custom, I leave you now with the real meaning for Christmas in the form of the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1-15. It's been my favorite version of the Nativity since...well, about as long as I can remember any sort of scripture. For sure since I heard Linus recite it in A Charlie Brown Christmas. Even in my worst days of denying my faith, I'd always look at this passage fondly around this time of year.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

     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.
     And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.