We started a new tradition this year!! On Monday and Wednesday nights we’re pretending the weather is ferociously cold, getting a small treat, and listening to Tim Curry read “A Christmas Carol” in his signature ominous tones. It’s a delight. The girls were giggling uncontrollably over Scrooge dismissing his nephew by repeatedly saying “good afternoon” in various shades of rudeness.

We’re fighting some illness here that we would appreciate prayers about, but overall we’re just loving being together and being in Christmastime. We hope that as this year marches on in its disappointments, strange celebrations, and loss that you would be drawn ever nearer to the things that matter. Ever nearer to fully embracing that we are in exile. Ever nearer to crying out for Christ to return and heal. For us these two verses from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” have been particularly poignant:

O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.