Let's go to Bethlehem

Traditionally the story goes that when the shepherds heard about the Christ child from the chorus of angels, they said to each other "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened". I kinda wish I were a shepherd, abiding in the fields. The experience of "a great company of the heavenly host" would have been something really interesting to blog about, and I like to think that I wouldn't have been the least bit skeptical. I like to think that I too would have said "Let's go to Bethlehem", to celebrate the first Christmas in wonder and love.

The closest I can get is to celebrate with those who are right here in my backyard, to get together with them in the same spirit of wonderment over being given the gift of each other and the gift of this holiday season. To "spread the word concerning what had been told", to dwell together in "glorifying and praising God for all the things heard and seen".

To that end, my celebrations began on Wednesday afternoon with Heather Kate & Sarah, somewhat chaotically in the midst of homework and neighborhood friends before they headed off to VA. Then, later that evening I joined my life group friends for soup & salad, yummy dessert, laughter, and secret santa gifts. I was sweetly made a hand-painted container of home-made truffles by the lovely Anne. I was grateful. The next morning found me making jars of soup and cookie mix with Amy & Emily at Emily's house. We measured and poured many ingredients into many jars for E & A to gift to those they love, all dolled up in our aprons. We then took ourselves to olive garden for soup salad and breadsticks, as well as some laughter and good (much needed and long over-due) conversation.

The next evening, Yi-Ting, Yu-Chen and myself had another much needed and long over-due time for the three of us to re-connect and warm each other's hearts. Usually our gatherings involve many pictures--particularly of the food--but we were too tired. This semester has worn us out. (That didn't keep us from talking until much past our bed-times, however.)

The next morning I got up as the snow swirled outside and made some ham & spinach hash to take over to Amy's for a girl's breakfast extraordinaire (because we're girls and because we're extraordinary, in case you were wondering....). The food was delicious, the company was wonderful, the snow outside helped to make the experience all the more special.

That evening found me out to dinner with my land-family, Pam, Del, Megan, Mattie, and Megan's boyfriend (as if I hadn't had enough laughter and hilarity already). We followed it up by going to see a movie together, which was my first chance to see a movie in awhile and was a nice way to end a snowy day.

Tomorrow morning I will pack up my car and drive to Harrisburg for a whirlfriend reunion with a few of my Harrisburgian friends before I head to NJ to help my mother prepare for the upcoming weekend. I can predict much more wonder and amazement over the next few days, and think that perhaps I can say with the angels:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests".