This last Christmas as a family of six looked a little bit different than usual. Fewer gifts, more time together. More soaking up each other's company knowing that this is it. Sarah is in Uganda studying abroad this semester, and Benjamin is on his way back to JBU already. So time was the best gift. And time together helped us to really focus on the sweet gift of Jesus.
On Christmas Day, we realized that the whipping cream I had bought to top our traditional gingerbread waffles had accidentally all gone into Benjamin's birthday gingerbread ice cream. So we ate leftover ice cream on top of our waffles. Delicious! The day was unusually sunny and warm, so we tackled the easy trails at Cadron Settlement Park on the beautiful Arkansas River to make a new family tradition.
Advent Sunday
by Christina Rossetti
Behold, the Bridegroom cometh: go ye out
With lighted lamps and garlands round about
To meet him in a rapture with a shout.
It may be at the midnight, black as pitch,
Earth shall cast up her poor, cast up her rich.
It may be at the crowing of the cock
Earth shall upheave her depth, uproot her rock.
For lo, the Bridegroom fetcheth home the Bride:
His Hands are Hands she knows, she knows His side.
Veiled, she unveils her face to meet His Face.
Like great Queen Esther in her triumphing,
She triumphs in the Presence of her King.
His Eyes are as a Dove's, and she's Dove-eyed;
He knows his lovely mirror, sister, Bride.
He speaks with Dove voice of exceeding love,
And she with love-voice of an answering Dove.
Behold, the Bridegroom cometh: go we out
With lighted lamps and garlands round about
To meet him in a rapture with a shout.
1 comment:
Love this friend! We have gone to making more memories too- a cousins' trap shoot instead of gifts, an annual hike to Fern Springs when at my parents and with the cousins, etc. Love this pictures friends, looks like a beautiful day together!
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