live blogging the twelve days: Natus est!

This morning began early when I was awakened by the penetrating stare of a eager and determined little girl. I finally arose to a household of charisma and Christmas cheer. We gathered for the reading of the birth of Christ and the children placed the Infant Jesus in the various creches around the room as we sang "Away in a Manger." Everyone opened a present...boy, was Firstborn ecstatic about receiving a Ripstick (I had told him there was no way he was getting one--I didn't think he would, either) The girls have been oohing and ahhing over the Cabbage Patch dolls Grandmama and Papa gave them. I still have mine-Emily Anne-from childhood. Now they are in their 25th year of production! Anyway, there were adoption papers to fill in and many requisite changes of dolly clothes to fill the day. Best of all, I'll have an old friend visiting me this year, thanks to The Prof.

We enjoyed a remarkably simple, but satisfyingly delicious ham dinner with Butterflake rolls with Sour Cherry Pecan jam, John Proctor's broccoli salad, Eggs with cheese and red and green bell peppers and Stollen. Then it was time to start preparing for Mass. The Prof left extra early as he had so much preparation to do at the church. The girls and I, as usual, left late. And I forgot to grab Firstborn's surplice from the dryer. And I barely made it in time lead the Youth Choir rehearsal. And it all turned out stunningly well, inspite of it all. Mass was glorious...the church was beautiful, the music brought a tear to the eye and ceremony was, well, just so Catholic.

We came home to a light supper of very familiar foods (see menu above) augmented by a homemade pumpkin pie and some pointsettia flower cookie pops that some choir members gave to the children. And now everyone is in bed. Everyone except for me, but that is where I am headed right now.

Our wishes to all of the devout readers of this blog for the merriest of Christmases and a most blessed 2008! Natus est! Blessed be the Infant King!