Three things made me especially happy on Tuesday: having a husband who loves Proxy Christmas (25th Nov!), managing to cook a lovely Christmas dinner for 16 people with only one oven and having 16 said people join is to celebrate. It was a almost a whole day affair with a splendid Christmas tree going up in the lounge, cookie decoration with little Annie and Grace, Japanese writing lessons with Fumino and copious amounts of vegetable chopping with the legend that is Craigus. We had so many people joining us that we had to move the sofas and bring in another dining table, and still I was thinking of people I would have loved to fit in. Hmm I wonder if next year I could stretch to 20?
I cannot think of a better reason to celebrate than the uncreated, eternal and limitless God coming to hang out with us in human form on earth. It's so easy to forget Jesus in the midst of all the shopping so we wanted to celebrate with food (happily following His example) and friends a month before the traditional anniversary. I've found two decorations that depict the nativity (a gorgeous German candle/windmill thing and a bronze candle holder) and I am eagerly anticipating lighting our advent candle on Monday.
So to all my American friends out there celebrating thanks giving today, for different reasons I am joining you. Today I am thankful for: God, Steve, my friends and food - in that order :)