Four Advent candles light the darkness!

The darkness that seeps into every corner of our house is interrupted by sparkles of light . . .  little twinkles in a sea of gray.  Technically, today, December 22, is the shortest day of 2011.  And so, the Advent candles, all four, pierce the darkness and remind us that more light will shine tomorrow . . .  and even more the next day.
And then it will be Christmas and THE light will shine in the darkness.

We light the 'Christ' candle, in the middle,
on Christmas day.

We noticed the darkness yesterday as it rained all day.  I still went to the food bank and helped place 'Christmas Dinner' in each of 140 boxes.  The turkeys would be added when the boxes are delivered.  Cookies went on top.  We were so busy that I forgot to take pictures!

When I got home we went to the most beautiful . . .  and fun  . . . performance I will ever see.  I could not take pictures of this either!  The Amish were sitting in neat rows in the one-room school house . . .  lots of moms and many dads . . .  and little babies held in laps.  The 28 children sat quietly on benches placed on each side of the large room.  When it was time for each . . .  or all  . . . to perform, they scooted up behind the white curtains, hung so that they could be opened and closed with each performance.  Poems, songs, hilarious skits  . . . voices so loud we could have heard them a block away.  Well over an hour of delightful entertainment.  Then, at the end, they had a skit where all the children created a 'Christmas Surprise.'  The baskets, filled with fresh fruit, were handed out to the parents of each of the participants.

I've had this Amish hat forever.
It's the only reminder I have of that
delightful moment with people who cherish
God's creation so much that they offer what they
produce as Christmas gifts.

     Throughout the performance we noticed that it was difficult to see without artificial light.  Only natural light was available.  We could focus on the children and listen to their voices and laugh with everyone else.  There was no clapping for the entire hour or so and then there was only a very short spurt of applause at the end.  It was as if it is not good to give too much praise.  The sea of 'white coverings' remained seated.  No standing ovations here.  You could tell the children were loved dearly and needed no further encouragement.  It was nice.

We 'English' left shortly after the performance ended.  As we left, we gave hearty thanks to the 'elder' men who were sitting by the door.  The younger children came out on the porch to wave goodbye to us as their parents lingered inside and enjoyed socializing.  What a special 'light' in these dark days.

My little paper whites are a good reminder that
we can grow blooms even in the darkest of winter.
The Clementines have sustained us and remind us
that sunshine is soon going to overtake these dark days.

The Amish gathering reminded me that we could give sprigs of Holly Berries to friends, neatly tucked into lovely baskets of fruit.

This was taken in October, when we last saw snow.
I think this year will be a very 'green' Christmas
as it is almost balmy!  

There is always my faithful Holly Bush.  I have cut
loads of sprigs and given them away.  Little pieces
are all over the house. They dry so nicely.

And so we wait for brighter days, filled with light.  All too soon we will complain that the sun wakes us before we are ready to get up.  I will not complain.  That means more time in my garden.  Until then, we continue to enjoy the many celebrations that lead up to Christmas.

Tonight we visit a tree farm with acres of special light displays.  The weather is almost warm and the deep dark that comes too early will dance with light as we creep by with all the other vehicles . . .  and some Amish buggies . . . in the midst of these sparkling delights.