goodwill to men

A haunting scene from Arlington National Cemetary, Dec 2010.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, "Mother, what was war?" - Eve Merriam

Peace on Earth, goodwill to men.

photo by kentonngo via dcist

messiah

Handel's Messiah is a masterpiece. I think it should be performed both at Christmas and Easter. It captures the sentiments of both holy days so perfectly.

In the late summer of 1741 Handel spent 24 days writing the score for Messiah and said when he emerged, "I did think I did see Heaven before me and the great God Himself!"

"I walked in the bright paths of sound..." -Ralph Waldo Emerson, after a Messiah performance in 1843.

Today Messiah was just what I needed to feel the Christmas spirit, and remember that indeed He is the reason for this season. I miss my brother Chris dreadfully each year at this time. It's hard realizing yet again that time does not stop and life moves on. I am so thankful for my faith in God's plan and it helps to make this time of year a bit easier as I move through the Christmas season and into yet another year. Handel's music today reminded me of the promise of Messiah and of my faith in God's plan. Christmas is here!

I love the Hallelujah Chorus flash mobs that have popped up on YouTube this year. People in malls doing their Christmas shopping stopping to remember the truest reason for the Christmas.


Macy's in Philadelphia sponsored this one with their fantastic organ and highly acoustic space.


This one just brings a smile to my face.

photo 1

photo 2

photo 3

where do babies come from?

Cody Laur, 22, left, of Metamora, Mich., gets some help from Santa while waiting for the hospital to take a photo of him with his wife Alecia and their twins Wyatt and Westley in Hurley Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Flint, Mich. for Hurley's 2nd Annual Baby's 1st Christmas Party, on Dec. 17. Santa was on the scene to take pictures with the babies, and he volunteers to give each family a special scrapbook page, prepared especially for them.

some say, the stork delivers the babies.

i think it might just be this guy... you know, the one on the right in red.

happy christmas!



photo here

it will be christmas when...

Today I feel very far away from my family.

I want to be able to jump in my car and be with there in five minutes to sit around the table eating dinner and watching little faces, to enjoy conversation with my brothers and sister and their spouses, to read books, play games, play dress-up and rough house with the nieces and nephews, and to kneel with them for family prayer.

My brother Rob called today. He's good at checking in with me regularly and it helps me not feel so far away. His boy Ghent is so excited for Christmas. He wants to open every present under the tree, but he's been told that he has to wait until Aunt Christine arrives to open presents. Why? Because it will be Christmas when Aunt Christine arrives!

Yay!  It will be Christmas when Aunt Christine arrives. That makes me happy, and the distance feel a bit shorter. I will get to see these two little munchkins next weekend, when I arrive and it's Christmas.

The whole family dressed up as the Fantastic Mr. Fox family for Halloween.

Mom made their costumes--sooo cute!

more lights

This year I'm determined to see as much of the city in its Christmas finery as I can.

Out and about Union Station the other evening.

A really big fake tree which is a gift from Norway

in gratitude for help received during WWII.

Birds keep warm by lining the arches of the main entrance to the station.

Their song echoes off the arches and is a charming welcome,

just watch your step.

 

All lit up and nowhere to go...

An office building by the station with garlands of pine and holly.

The only Nativity I've seen that's not at a church.

Thank you Ebenezers.

A clumsy, artitistic photo of Christmas ligts on a fence.

Kind of cool.



it's beginning to look a lot like...

I went for a little walk around the neighborhood a couple of days ago

and looked at some of the Christmas sights.

The Willard Intercontinental Hotel

A little help with the door please...

Even the back corner of the hotel gets brightened up for the holidays.

Looking east on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Old Ebbitt Grill has new security!

The Suntrust Bank building all decked out.

Department of Treasury really goes all out.

Yes, Virginia, there really is an office that supervises thrift in our government...

unbelievable.

Howdy neighbors!

The Old Executive Office uilding is getting a face lift,

but that doesn't stopping them from decorating.

Golden angel against the winter sky.

Lights at Federal Triangle

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

paper

i love paper.

good thick paper

and

elegant pens

with slender nibs skimming along

spilling out dark, satiny ink

to spell the secrets of my heart

in best wishes to friends and family.

mistletoe baby looking for someone to share the warmth

peek-a-boo.

don't you wonder what she's seeing?

what cute little angels delivering christmas cheer.

i, for one, will be mailing cards of paper this year

and while i appreciate efforts to go green,

just call me old-fashioned 'cause

good thick paper and ink get me every time.

plus, i love opening envelopes

and seeing what's inside,

getting the update on your life,

and holding christmas wishes in my hands.

it does my heart good.

all images

i splurged...

just a little today on this.

i've been looking at this for over a month.

i've resisted and not given in,

but today

i splurged.

i will have fun putting this together.

image from paper-source

light

contemplate,

if you will for just a moment,

the source of light.

light & love.

the reason for the season.

christmas lights have been spotted!

image 1

image 2