Christmas!

Where to start? Christmas Eve was very busy. We did go carolling, but were almost foiled. For the past two years we have gone to Bethune's "Wal-mart" a Dollar General store about an hour before closing on Christmas Eve. We did so this year too, but corporate had called the manager to close the store an hour early, so we got there just as it closed! What to do? The gas station across the street had a small but steady flow of customers, so we tried there. Given permission to carol, we sang for almost an hour. It was worth the effort, proclaiming Christ in the public square. (We also carolled briefly at our neighbor's house on the way home.)

UPDATE: Mrs. Curley requested that I add some detail to the carolling story, so here goes. We are singing outstide the Exxon Station and a family pulls up and just listens for about 15 minutes. Then the father gets out and introduces himself. He and his family live in the city but have a cabin out here. This is the first time they have spent Christmas at the cabin. They usually go to their church (probably Baptist) on Christmas Eve to see a Christmas paegent and were driving around to the local churches in Bethune to find something similar-but found nothing-then driving by they heard us. We talked a bit and then they drove off. Another lady (about 40ish) came up to us with tears saying that she had been sick and had other troubles recently and just hadn't been able to get into the Christmas spirit until she heard us singing. So you see that announcing Christ's coming, in imitation of the angels, does allow Christ to work in people. When we announce Christ in the public square, no matter how poorly (believe me, our actual singing was no great shakes) Christ can work with the effort.

Got to bed earlier than usual. As I was falling asleep, Mrs. Curley suddenly sat up and asked, "Did you remember to put baby Jesus in the stable?" Talk about leaving Christ out of Christmas!!!! I plumb forgot. Imagine the kids sneaking out to the living room early on Christmas morning without the Christ-child in the manger. Horrors! Kudos to Mrs. Curley for saving me from this blunder.

Christmas morning Mass was beautiful. Adeste Fideles, Panis Angelicus, and other favorites graced St. Catherine's. We came home to a quick breakfast of muffins and mimosa's (for some). We sang Happy Birthday to the Christ-child again and then opened presents.

The kids tell us every year that it is the best Christmas ever (I think gift-wise). Mrs. Curley and I were a bit confused by this, but number one daughter explained, they get nothing during the year (except for birthdays), so Christmas is just overwhelming.

Two friends came and shared Christmas dinner with us (turkey...) and then we sang carols until it was time to break up and get some sleep. A wonderful day. I think Chesterton said something like that it takes God to force us to celebrate Holy Days and we wake up and find these are wonderful holidays for us men. (I'm sure I really messed up that quote. It has been years. Maybe from Orthodoxy?)

Yesterday I slept later than I have in months (but of course missed Mass). Relaxing day. Learned to play a tune on my new harmonica. I think Mrs. Curley is regretting the purchase. More turkey tonight and general cleanup today from a few days of all fun but no work. Plus, Requiem Press is back to work part-time the rest of the week. (Will post the next section of Two Towers on my other blog in a couple days.)

So for now, happy feast of St. John the Evangelist and Merry Christmas!