Because I ended up feeling unsatisfied by our observation of Advent this year (in the past it has been a glorious time indeed, but now my kids are bigger and busy with activities and homework and have no time to indulge a nostalgic, tradition-laden mother), we will be celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas this year. Don't get me wrong. I know nothing about the original celebration other than it was the celebration of the days leading up to Epiphany which celebrated the Magi's visit to the Christ child. So because I know nothing about this wild and wonderful holiday, we will wing it and learn as we go. But what this means for you, dear reader, is that you will get 12 days of Christmas observations. (Please leave me comments if this is a tradition you observe and you'd
like to share your meaningful traditions. I can't promise we will use
them but it will be fun to hear from you!)
As today was a fully sated, quiet and indulgent day full of naps and chocolate, I will just share with you some photos of the day followed by a short poem and a pictoral account of Hitty Dauphine's Christmas, for those of you who like to follow the antics of our very own engenue.
Christmas Eve.
Christmas Jammies -- Hilarity ensues.
Trip to Bountiful...and I said I was going to tone it down this year. Well, most of these are from the relatives.
That box behind young Punch is MY gift, a new art clay kiln, thank you Grandma June!
Lament
To the world you are a saviour,
to me, a baby so small, so new.
Your innocent eyes searching my face
are the same eyes that beheld the wonder of creation
Your voice, cooing softly in my ear,
is the echo of the man within you speaking truth.
Your plump hands, curling around my fingers and tangling themselves in my hair
are destined to strain against the nails that will hang you to a tree.
My heart breaks
knowing all I can do is wash away your blood with my tears,
and bear, with my own strength, your body to the grave.
And while I know that you will rise, a victor from the grave,
my heart breaks knowing that the son who suckled at my breast
will do this to cleanse me,
to wash away the sin I bear.
It breaks my heart to know that even I,
your mother,
have failed you in this.
You, my son, my little boy.
Now for Hitty Dauphine's Christmas.
What is that at the end of my bed?
What have we got here?
Hitty Dauphine received an Izannah Walker doll in her stocking for Christmas. The small dolls were made by Gail Wilson as was the stocking. The nightgown was made by Kay DeMattai and the smocked Christmas dress by Nancy Hauk.
Everyone here at Weathertop, great and small, wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas!
As today was a fully sated, quiet and indulgent day full of naps and chocolate, I will just share with you some photos of the day followed by a short poem and a pictoral account of Hitty Dauphine's Christmas, for those of you who like to follow the antics of our very own engenue.
Christmas Eve.
Christmas Jammies -- Hilarity ensues.
Trip to Bountiful...and I said I was going to tone it down this year. Well, most of these are from the relatives.
That box behind young Punch is MY gift, a new art clay kiln, thank you Grandma June!
Lament
To the world you are a saviour,
to me, a baby so small, so new.
Your innocent eyes searching my face
are the same eyes that beheld the wonder of creation
Your voice, cooing softly in my ear,
is the echo of the man within you speaking truth.
Your plump hands, curling around my fingers and tangling themselves in my hair
are destined to strain against the nails that will hang you to a tree.
My heart breaks
knowing all I can do is wash away your blood with my tears,
and bear, with my own strength, your body to the grave.
And while I know that you will rise, a victor from the grave,
my heart breaks knowing that the son who suckled at my breast
will do this to cleanse me,
to wash away the sin I bear.
It breaks my heart to know that even I,
your mother,
have failed you in this.
You, my son, my little boy.
Now for Hitty Dauphine's Christmas.
What is that at the end of my bed?
What have we got here?
Hitty Dauphine received an Izannah Walker doll in her stocking for Christmas. The small dolls were made by Gail Wilson as was the stocking. The nightgown was made by Kay DeMattai and the smocked Christmas dress by Nancy Hauk.
Everyone here at Weathertop, great and small, wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas!
