Comforts of Home

This expression has new meaning as we reach for diet gingerale (not found anywhere else!), non-fat sweetened creamer for coffee, and unpack clothes put in storage. What comforts did Jesus leave behind when he came to earth?

Yesterday my side of the family met at the home where we grew up, for a Christmas breakfast. Some were not there -- in San Diego, Albuquerque, Israel, etc. but 23 of us, including 11 young adults in college or working, had a delicious catered breakfast, courtesy of my brother, Earl.

Our nephew Doug works at Price, Waterhouse, and Cooper in Boston, so we recruited him for the Prague office near our apartment. Others said they would like to come visit if we were going to be there longer.

We missed Mom, but are so blessed to still have Dad with us.

Lloyd did a two-hour stint of bell ringing for the Salvation Army at the Bedford Mall yesterday evening. Lance and I took turns standing with him, wishing people a cheery Merry Christmas, ringing the bell, and thanking them for their gifts. There was a steady stream of people giving, and we had to keep pushing the money down, using a ruler in the slot. We wondered what Czechs would think of these greetings between strangers, and the obvious good will of everyone as we talked and collected the money.

I received a very nice e-mail from one of my students. I miss them.

I went to a living Nativity here in Bedford. "Mary" and "Joseph" walked with a donkey down the street, stopped at an "inn" and then went to a barn. There were probably a thousand people walking along behind them, including many children.