Happy Christmas Eve .....

There is much I give thanks for tonight, in the closing hours of Christmas Eve ..... I am thankful for a mild evening at the end of a clear, bright, colorful glory - such a contrast the winter extremes experienced in other parts of the country ..... I am thankful that merchants were enjoying a last-minute spurt of holiday shopping - and glad that my own gift-shopping was done, and I wasn't part of that spurt .....

I am thankful for the cheerfulness of the folks at MD Pizza Factory, as they served up a wonderful pre-Christmas-Eve-service meal for us ..... I am thankful for the music arranged and directed by Greg Pysh in our late service at First Prez-Midland, for the meditations of Pastor Steve Schorr, and for the sound of all of us singing "Silent Night" as we passed the light from person-to-person, candle-to-candle .....

I am thankful for the awesome display of lights at the home on the 1600 block of W. Neely - and especially thankful that no one was reported hurt when someone broke into that home and robbed the owner earlier this week .....

I am thankful that the boys got to bed on time, without any fuss ..... I was thankful for the bottle of Pied Violet's cabernet sauvignon, and the broadcast of "Christmas at Saint Olaf's" that helped My Favorite Landman and I get through the gift-wrapping after the boys had gone to bed .....

And I am thankful for the opportunity to go to sleep tonight with the promise that, "for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Alleluia ..... Amen .....
Happy Christmas, Everyone!