O JOY!

Celebrate!
All the symbols of Christmas.
This goes in our entryway every year.

The minutes spin past us as we try to take moments here and there to enjoy this Advent season.  Last Sunday we lit the third candle of Advent, the JOY candle.  It's the pink one.  It's a reminder for us to take a time-out to celebrate . . . to bring a little more light into our lives.  

During this most busy time of year we decided to take a little detour.

   We went to the 'big city' of Baltimore . . .  the harbor.

       We got sticker shock the minute we tried to find parking.  Of course there was nothing on the street.  Even an open parking lot was the same price as a lovely covered garage right under a grand shopping center.

    On this rainy day we chose the parking garage . . . $23 for three + hours!

Needless to say, it was not a good day to take photographs but I could not resist this shot.  Occupy Baltimore!  These hardy souls pitched about 23 tents on this tiny triangle of land between two very nice plazas where one could linger as long as they wanted . . .  inside . . . where it was warm.

    I did not see a soul so my guess is that the occupants either went to work or came into this six story, open, inviting plaza with tons of shops and restaurants and places to sit and people-watch.

This colorful 'Occupy' site seemed to nestle
quite nicely in between the harbor and
a couple of shopping plazas.

I read that these 'Occupiers' were invited to leave this spot this week.

 They did so quietly. 

 Perhaps they were also motivated by the cold, wet air.

We strolled over to the very large Aquarium and delighted in all we saw.  

For a few moments I forgot I was 'up north' and lingered in the tropical atmosphere.   We spent a lot of hours there.  What fun.

Once back home, we begin to put up decorations.  These are some that my sister made for me over the years.  In fact, most of them were created years ago.  There is something special about decorating with hand made gifts from those we love.

We pull out this 'kissing' ball every year.
The words on the back say, "Christmas weaves its loving art,
 and leaves its magic in the heart." 

I have manger scenes all over the house.  We were given
this one long before we moved near the place were
 these figures are created.

 

Patient hands created this
lovely reminder of Christmas Joy.
Every corner of the house has something.

I can't linger too long.  I have yet to write our Christmas letter.
At least I finished teaching for this month.
We still have other commitments and preparation for Sundays and, of course, the Christmas Eve service.
But, there is always time to eat a cookie or add a 'piece of light' to another dark corner.  Maybe we will even put up the tree!