Early this morning I waved good-bye to the last Christmas guests as they drove off toward home in Colorado. A few minutes later I was back in bed, and soon after that had fallen asleep while listening to Jonathan Pageau’s podcast on “Christmas: The Anchor of Reality.”
Now it’s afternoon, I just finished breakfast, and decided to try one of the new teas I received recently from Tea Runners. The grandchildren who just departed liked this one, called Winter Wonderland Rooibos. I added half and half, and served up a slice of the stollen Soldier gave me for Christmas.

I was arranging my stack of Christmas books and realized that I have not read Winter Fire during either of the Christmas seasons since I got it; it is subtitled Christmas with G.K. Chesterton, and is compiled by Ryan Whitaker Smith. So I opened its pages and browsed a little, and remembered that it is arranged as somewhat of a 30-Day Advent collection. Yet for myself I think it will be a good read in the next few days, as winter has only begun here, and I could use more meditation on the Incarnation, as I process all the events large and small that have whirled around me of late.
There are so many things I want to write about, to highlight here, of our splendid Glad celebrations over the last ten days, but at this point my head is still spinning a bit too crazily, and my heart just wants to go to church, light a candle on St. Basil’s Day and The Circumcision of Christ, and give thanks for all that God has done.

It does take a while to get one’s head back to normal…or maybe I should say emotions. Nice that you had such a lovely relaxing day. The stollen looks delicious and reminds me that I haven’t made any yet. Like reading about Advent after Christmas there’s no reason not to make stollen in January 🙂
Happy New Year
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Write when you can, meditate as you need, find your quiet, your peace and your grace. It sounds like a splendid holiday filled with love and I’ll look forward to your future tellings. Happy New Year, Gretchen.
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How delicious to have tasty things to eat and drink and read and think. Happy New Year to you.
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The last of my children left for their long drive to Cape Town early this morning. Rather than rush around in their wake, I am enjoying the peace and quiet of my home, readng blogs I have missed and thinking about the year ahead. I wish you a peaceful and productively fulfilling time.
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It’s good to take the time for quiet after a whirlwind of activity. Here, too, things are calmer and quieter. I’m so glad for the peace of my home – peace that exist in the midst of the busyness, but peace and calm combined are extra special.
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I think your phrase “peace and calm combined” perfectly describes the climate of my house. Thank you, Lorrie.
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If the incarnation had not have happened we would be lost indeed. I have never read that Advent book, but I believe I would like it. We can appreciate celebrating the first advent throughout the year as well as looking forward to His second advent❤️. Blessings!
My head spins too, and I must just stop and regroup often.
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