This morning around 6:00 a.m. we were awakened by a small caravan of cars honking and playing "music" as they drove through our residential neighborhood. After a while they came through again with what passes for "music" being "played" by the usual inept "musicians" that play Carnival type "music" more typical of the pre-Lent period. Turns out they were having a party the next block over, including a pig-killing. Sure am glad they are not closer neighbors.

In spite of such intrusions into our usually quiet neighborhood we are in a fairly festive mood now that the coffee's kicked in and we've got things getting ready for this evening's open house. We'll be having friends over this evening for snacks and board games as we celebrate the coming of Jesus the Christ to Earth.

May each of you have a blessed time of celebration with friends and family. For those who are not with friends or family during this time for one or another reason, may you know the peace that comes from knowing the Prince of Peace on a personal level.

Feliz Natal!
Feliz Navidad!
Merry Christmas!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.