Goodbye Thanksgiving...Hello Christmas

We had a very relaxing Thanksgiving, which was great. Over the weekend we put up our Christmas decorations and rearranged our house to fit them in. It actually looks really good and spacious. We bought a fake tree this year (due to our vacation) and I prefer it to the real one...no sap on the fingers, no needles all over the ground and no need to water it.

I am looking forward to the Christmas season...my favorite time of year, despite it's busyness. We lighted the first of the advent candles last night - The Candle of Hope and read from Isaiah. As we prayed as a family it was amazing to hear our eldest son's prayer as he prayed for the upcoming season. I am truly blessed to have the people in my family that I do.

The World at Night

I have for the last few weeks experienced the world between the hours of 1am and 3am. Now, I have always been a night owl, but lately, due to a number of factors, I find myself awake until late into the night (or is that early into the morning?).

It is amazing how different the world looks and feels at night. There is a quietness that just does not exist at other times. It is almost as if the earth is holding its breath. There are no demands on you. There is no constant hubbub of background noise like there is during the day. And I must say, speaking to God at this time of night is quite unrestricted.

Of course, the ongoing conversation in my mind can get annoying. It goes something like this:
"Go to sleep!"
"Would love to, but I'm not tired."
"Just try and lie down."
"Already done that for an hour."
"Read a book."
"Finished one already."
"Just go to sleep..."
"Would love to, but..."

So anyway, here's to getting to sleep tonight before 1am