Merry 12 days of Christmas and Happy New Year!

December got away from me this year.

I had a blessed Christmas in Florida with my mom, brother and grown children. It was full, though it did not start with a lot of merriment. Mom was in and out to the hospital, but we got her health squared away before the kids showed up on the 21st. Then the fun began.

Because there were many “extracurricular” activities this Advent, I am particularly happy to be Anglican this year. I came back to Massachusetts on the 28th and attended my home church of Christ the Redeemer on Sunday the 29th. Christmas had not disappeared! As a matter of fact, it was just hitting stride. It was the 4th day of Christmas and the first Sunday of Christmas! Instead of the wearied “Boy am I glad Christmas is over” that I had heard many times after the 25th, everyone was greeting each other with “Merry Christmas!”

So in honor of Christmastide, the 12 days in the liturgical calendar between Christmas day and Epiphany, the arrival of the Magi to Bethlehem, I am keeping my tiny little tree lit next to my fireplace until the 5th. With a foot of snow due in the next 36 hours I will nestle in, when not shoveling, and read by the gentle lights. I will have time alone to reflect on the coming of Christ as a helpless baby. The time that was elusive before the 25th this… well last year, now.I am not a fan of New Years resolutions. But I do believe in planning. During this Christmastide I intend to take some time to reflect on 2013 and to plan for 2014. One thing I am already clear on is a writing project I believe firmly God has placed before me. More on that later.

I hope and pray the Lord will grant you peace of mind and grace to help you flow through 2014 in the power and love of God. May He enable you to rest in Him and from that place of rest allow Him to do more through and for you than you can ask or imagine…because He is that kind of God!

To God be the Glory!