It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Well, at least a little bit like Christmas.   We haven't had much snow so far this year, but we did get a dusting this past Tuesday.  I don't care how many times you get to experience it, there is always something magical about the snow lightly falling on a brisk winter morning.  At the house the snow - all 1/2" of it - melted by Thursday morning, but just up the road it is sticking around...hopefully until Christmas day. 

I was working on a little project in Ockenden Ranch this week, and Wednesday morning when I pulled up to the cabin there were three deer at the place across the street munching on some bushes.  To my surprise, they paused to look at me when I pulled up but didn't scare and bound off.  As I got out of the truck and started unloading tools in the fresh snow, they finished up eating and casually walked on, pausing to check me out.  It was a great start to a beautiful day.

 Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  We will be enjoying candlelight service at The Church of Shaver Lake as we have been for many years.  It is like being in a Norman Rockwell Painting.  The chapel is picturesque with a working bell tower and little covered bridge that crosses Musick Creek. 
There is a Catholic service every Saturday and an inter-denominational service on Sunday, both of which are special in their own.  There is a strong sense of community and family at each.  Candlelight however draws a host of visitors from all over and it is truly a Christmas celebration!

Of course we are looking forward to Christmas morning and opening gifts in front of the tree while enjoying cocoa and a warm fire.  But Christmas is really so much more - it is a celebration of the birth of our savior, the creator of the universe.  I can't think of a better place to celebrate than right in the midst of His amazing creation.  Merry Christmas!!