Saints, Angels, and Baby Jesus

Happy holidays everyone. It's been a while since I have written anything in here, and it's not because I haven't sat down to, because I have, a few times. I just haven't been able to say anything.

SAINTS...not a who, but a where. Saints is the name of a small, hip, cozy, olive green cafe here in Saintfield. It has come to represent more than just a place for a cup of coffee or raisin and vanilla scone. It is my place of refuge. Of self-discovery. Of spiritual rejuvenation. I am finding out who I am over and over again every Monday morning at my small corner table for two. Right now I am learning a lot from a catholic priest writing to his Jewish friend. That's all you get to know about that for now.

ANGEL...my daughters last choice of what she wanted to be in this years school nativity play. First choice, donkey. Second choice, shepherd. From what I gather here in northern ireland, nativity costumes are to Christmas as witch costumes are to halloween, they are sold in every store this time of year. Therefore there are some legit donkey costumes out there. So the sweat pants and felt donkey ears I had planned was not going to work out and I'm not spending $20 on a donkey costume. Let's see if we can make the shepherd thing work out without having to break the bank on a real life staff. Plan B was working out until I walked Chloe into her classroom Monday morning and see nothing but little angels, shepherds, and barn animals staring at my daughter in her royal blue school uniform. Mom of the year fail. "Don't worry," said the teacher, "we had an extra angel costume set aside for Chloe" as if she knew I was going to forget. Good call teach. Now to convince Chloe that being an angel is the coolest. Its times like these that I am humbled as a mom. I always thought I would never do anything to make my kids feel embarrassed, less than, or un-cool. I thought I would be one of those moms that would have brought in the best costume with extras for those other unfortunate kids whose parents were idiots. What a turn of events this is turning out to be. My poor children, I fear I will not be healed of my forgetfulness any time soon.

BABY JESUS...A character that brings presents on Christmas morning...until you find out it's really your mom and dad. If you live in the Czech republic that is. I recently found out that it is not Santa, but baby Jesus that every kid waits for excitedly on Christmas morning in the most atheistic country in the whole world. Our family had two friends over from Czech for Thanksgiving and this was one of the many wonderful conversations we had with them. Our friend Marek said he saw his dad bringing in the presents and asked "Dad, are you Baby Jesus?". I can't figure out what to take from that conversation, but there has got to be a sermon illustration in there somewhere. Have at it pastor friends.

I just thought I would share a few anecdotes with you this holiday season and hope that: you too have a "Saints" in your life, even though you forget about the nativity it will never forget you, and this year may you be as excited about baby Jesus on Christmas morn as if He brought you the best gift of all.