'Tis the season to be jolly

I woke up yesterday morning (something I try to do everyday!) and as I wandered aimlessly in the first ambiguous moments of the morning I found myself before the living room curtains and just then, without a purpose or a thought, I opened them. The dark cave of the living room exploded with a brilliant light and I almost lost my footing as I was forced to step back to protect my eyes from blindness. I stood there more confused than before, but as my eyes adjusted to the light my mind quickly came round to full clarity - for before my eyes, on the other side of that glass window pane, was the ground painted white with snow. Now... before I continue on with this story (which I shan't) I must confess to you that this glorious snow was merely a bit of frost. But "mere" is dangerous word to use (to quote C.S. Lewis) and one would never go about in Northern Ireland using the word "mere" and "frost" in the same sentence for that would surely be blasphemy. They are very proud of their frost, even being bold enough to call it snow, though we all know that is far from it - especially in comparison to what you are currently trudging through. I must confess though that it did put a smile on my face to walk on the ground and leave the slightest footprints - it was all I needed to know that it is the Christmas season - which I was having a very difficult time grasping.
This week as a whole has been severely busy - with working in the coffee shop and the Church office - preparing stuff for the coming year. I found it rather difficult to find time between for rest. It is all over now and I am officially "off" and very much enjoying my rest. It has been giving me a very different opinion on Christmas being away from home and I'm beginning to look at it in very different light than I had. I see now what a glorious thing it is, absolutely worthy of celebration though technically hindered by commercialization it's glory is none the less - and though I am away from friends and family, away from those whom I love and cherish these times to share - I will be celebrating the birth of our Saviour none the less. For there is a direct connection between His birth and my being here in Northern Ireland, and so I will be glad and fight off all sadness.
I have been very blessed these times as well. My laptop has arrived and my new job pays well, these things are from God, like all things, and are definitely reasons to be thankful and give praise. The locals are also very generous around these times and there is no shortage of invitations and food to those of us who are staying. I also am traveling a little bit over new year - from Dec 27th 'till Jan 3rd to London (England!) and then to Southampton (perhaps a little Liverpool and Manchester action though unlikely) to visit friends from Muskoka Woods in the summer. Which should really be a lot of craic and a good time to unwind. Please pray for safety. And please pray for my Mum and Dad and my three sisters over these next couple of days, hopefully the Dog will do a good job replacing me. Anyways, I must be off. Have a wonderful Christmas and a jolly new year. 'Till next year! Adios