Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat.
Please put a penny in the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do.
If you haven't got a ha'penny, God Bless You.

It's true, - Christmas is coming. Although Advent is dominant in our spiritual thoughts there are practical preparations that carry us forward to the Holy Day.

I have plans to make shortbread and light fruit cakes for a Christmas Tea and Bake Sale at the church next Saturday, and on Thursday there is a festive luncheon and party that calls for a little carol singing.

Today our Bell Choir did three concerts, starting at 9:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Lourdes Church where we rang at the Eucharist service. We packed up and moved bells and tables to The Manor, an assisted living facility, - had a lovely Thai lunch at a local restaurant and then went on to Orchard Haven Care Home to ring our program once more. I have to say we did a passable job!

At one time I was pretty strict about reserving Christmas carols for the appropriate time, - one didn't sing Silent Night until Christmas Ever, or any of the Angel and Shepherd hymns, but now as I age I grow more tolerant - less arrogant about assuming what is pleasing to God.

I saw many different Christmas trees, - all lovely, from the smallest to the largest, - cheering the residents of these care homes and reminding them what Advent leads to.

Sometimes I think that the busyness of December causes us to lose sight of what it is about Advent that is so important to us - the awareness of who we are, and the mindfulness of our relationships with others and our true spirituality. But then it comes to me that this interaction with the outreach of Advent touches us in many ways inwardly, as well, and I just relax and enjoy it!!!!