Christmas WAS...

One of the nativity-related ornaments on our Nativity Tree

After posting "Christmas Is" yesterday, I decided to follow it up THIS way. 
Christmas WAS...

• Sunny.
• Cold.
• Very windy.
• Joyful.  Our morning worship service was well attended and filled with sincere greetings, smiles, and celebratory spirits.
• Simple.  I took a crockpot meal of sweet/sour meatballs with onion, green and yellow peppers, pineapple chunks, and potato slices to share with my parents. (I also took cranberry relish, having missed it at Thanksgiving somehow.) My sister and her family joined us.  She brought taco soup and a cauliflower salad and snacks for the afternoon.
• Fun.  We sat around the table and played Balderdash for a l-o-n-g time.  We're a game-playing family.
• Family.  Our children called from IL, Mexico, and KS.  We plan to see them this weekend except for the Kansas contingency.  Our daughter is recovering from gallbladder surgery and they (wisely, I think) decided not to make the trip.
• My birthday.  Yes.  I turned 63.  I keep repeating that number with incredulity!  Where HAVE the years gone? 
• Reflective.  As per my usual birthday habit, I listed people, events and "things" I have been thankful for over the past year to match the number of years I have lived.  Every year it takes more time to compose because of the added year!  Some items on the list never change from year to year.  Particularly I am thankful for the grace and mercy of God that saved me and give me hope.  There is GREAT hope in His Name!

 "A bruised reed he (Jesus Christ) will not break, 

and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.  

In his name the nations will put their hope."

Matthew 12:20-21