I have a feeling I won't have time on the 4th Sunday of Advent for a fresh and inspiring blog entry.  Why, you may ask?  Because we will be knee deep in family by then!

Christmas baking:  check!

Gifts bought and wrapped:  check! 

Groceries purchased and tucked away:  check!

Menu planned:  mostly check!  (Meal options are available but what day and exact combinations are yet to be determined!  Turkey for sure on Christmas Day.

House cleaned:  half-check!  Why clean too thoroughly when there will be six extra adults, a toddler and canine guest added to our quiet home?  Beds are made with fresh linens, laundry is caught up and the bathrooms are cleaned and stocked with plenty of T.P.!  Good enough.

As I sit just now, staring at my wooden nativity scene, I quiet the mental list and still my soul.  Most mornings I have had the luxury to spend a couple of hours in Bible study, journaling and prayer this past week.  Special verses have stood out to me about peace, joy, patience, the Holy Spirit as Counselor and Teacher, and much, much more.  I've also read a few chapters of a book entitled "The Way of Agape" that has focused my attention on love, God's perfect and divine love.  It has been a rich week for me.

Walter has had lunch and coffee appointments, made finishing touches on wooden Christmas projects and planned other outings...could he be out searching for the perfect gift for his wife perchance?  I'll know in 5 more sleeps!

Tomorrow - Saturday - is a Sunday School program practice at our church.  I'll be playing guitar and helping the kids with their musical numbers.  Sunday morning is the big program!  So I also squeezed in my own practice and preparation of the words and chords for the computer projection person.  

Also tomorrow is when most of our kids will arrive in time for supper.  Our Weyburn kids will celebrate Christmas with our daughter-in-law's family this weekend and come to Regina for December 24.  Then the party will start in earnest!

A string of lights draped over the stable adds a special twinkly glow over the delicately carved figures of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, wisemen, an angel and some barnyard animals.  The baby Jesus, in a wooden manger, lies small and ordinary in the centre of this ancient scene.  I'm reminded that even with the Advent activities, preparations and plans, it all means nothing without that tiny Babe.