I’ll be leaving for vacation Christmas Day, after a 10 am service at St. Andrew’s in Antelope.  I’ve been there these past two years half time, and at St. George’s half time.  That’s my final official duty at St. Andrew’s.  When I return from vacation, I will be serving only at St. George’s once again.

Meanwhile, Christmast Eve will be largely a day off.  I’ll have to pack for vacation.  But I think things are pretty well set for our 7 pm Christmas Eve Vigil at St. George’s.  We’ll have a little mini pageant after the sermon.  We’ll have Christmas carols and some extra readings for the occassion.  We’ll do part of the service by the light of glow sticks (having given up candles the year three members of the congregation were on oxygen).  We’ll have goodies to share after the service.  It should be fun, and I’m looking forward to it.

Mostly, I’m just trying to stay well and not stress out too much before then.  Finishing up at St. Andrew’s and moving stuff out of my office there has made this a bit busier than usual for me.  Plus we’ve had a death (at St. Andrew’s — one of our key people) and a number of pastoral situations.  So I’m going to be ready for vacation.

I get to see my daughter and her husband, from Witchita, Kansas.  Anne and I will be meeting them at their time share in Vegas the day after Christmas.  My other daughter will be taking care of the cats for us back home.  She has to work.  Or, given the current economy, she is blessed with a job.  Still, we’ll miss her.  Though we will celebrate Christmas together before we leave.

All in all, we’ll spend most of the twelve days of Christmas with friends and family.  It should be relaxing.  And it seems a good way to spend the season.  Celebrating Jesus’ birth.  Taking time to be with friends and family.  Enjoying the blessings of the life God has given me.