in the bleak midwinter...

aside from that being one of my favorite songs heard this time of year, that particular song reminds me of Dr. Ed Wilson reading Christmas carols and poetry in Thursday chapel the week before exams at Wake Forest.  I wonder if he still does this?  It just didn't seem like Christmas until I had gone to the Love Feast and heard my most favorite professor read this carol in chapel... the traditions we create!

It has been a while since my last post... I'm not sure where time goes these days.  Nothing tremendous or even slightly exciting has happened lately, so you are not missing much- school and family and a slight semblance of a social life.  I am glad that I have had this week off from school.  I have enjoyed hanging out with Ferf since she and Michael are up for Christmas this year.  

The highlight of the season so far was taking little M to see the Roper Mtn. Lights on Monday night.  We loaded up the front wheel drive sleigh to introduce little M to a Greenville tradition.  Little M is from Haiti and has been living with Mary since May.  He is here to get a corrective surgery on his feet and has been such a joy to get to know.  I'm not sure about all of the privacy laws about him, so for now we will keep it simple and call him M.  He was so excited about riding in a "big" car with all of his friends and all of the lights were almost too much to take in.  His exclamations and obvious delight were good for the soul... to be a child at Christmas!  When he saw the huge star at the top of the mountain, he declared, "Wow, it's a big star!  That is a BIG one!"  The shepards and wise men probably said the same thing upon seeing the first Christmas star, "Wow, it's a big star!  That is a BIG one!"  After all of the lights, we went back to Mary's for dinner and a few presents for little M.  No one was surprised that he enjoyed the wrapping better than any of the presents, but delighting in the little things is what Christmas is about anyway!  Lizzie was the appointed photographer for the evening so when she is able to send me a few pictures, I will post them!

Until then, I hope everyone enjoys a night where all is calm and bright.  I will leave you with the the last verse of In the Bleak Midwinter.  Merry Christmas!

What can I give him,

Poor as I am 

If I were a shepard

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give him-

Give my heart.