Christmas Eve: A Baker’s Dozen

And so we begin.

Good morning to all. This is the first of thirteen daily posts for the twelve-day Christmas season. A friend suggested that I write thirteen posts to make a baker’s dozen. So, I’m starting with Christmas Eve. I am in love with this season. I hope you enjoy this series.

This post is a prelude, an introduction to what will be a series of short (250-500 word) essays on the holiday and its significance in my life. Think of this as a travelogue, a spiritual memoir of sorts.

This series is a celebration of the quotidian.

We’re starting to wrap gifts. They are collecting under the tree. My son has wrapped a gift for his mother. He’s excited for her to open it and might explode before Christmas morning. I too am excited and want to tell you what he got her. It’s a creative, playful, and thoughtful gift. That’s all I can say right now. We’ll simply have to save the big reveal for Christmas Day.

My wife is Making the Cookies. Trish makes a chocolate ginger cookie that is legendary. Santa loves them and looks forward to eating them every year. I will dutifully assist Santa in that endeavor.

We’ll also church at St. James the Less today. Advent 4 is this morning. Then, there is a family Christmas Eve service late afternoon which we’ll attend. I have not been diligent in my church attendance this Advent. I’m getting used to what my chaplain position asks of me during the week and how best to recharge on the weekend. I’ve missed a lot of church this fall.

No judgment. It’s just our life right now. Churching is hard. Let’s not pretend it’s not a discipline and practice. We simply haven’t had room for it these last few months. We’ve had other disciplines which to attend.

But the season continues nonetheless…with or without our attendance at services.

Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

I desire Mary’s courage.