I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! My sources indicate that many people in Outer Blogness did! Just see for yourself!
Let’s start with a selection of holiday sentiments! Aerin shares some thoughts on the moments of peace nestled in the midst of the holiday bustle, and xJane contemplates the reason for the season. U. S. Wanker isn’t too thrilled with the orgy of consumerism. The Urban Koda has a Christmas message for his Sunday School class. Saganist explains why Santa Claus is a good metaphor. We have new/old traditions and broken traditions. And Tom wishes you Merry Holidays with some good news: his Utah Collection of photos is soon to be published.
In Christmas songs, we have two votes for “White Wine in the Sun,” one vote for the MoTab’s “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” and one for “O Holy Night” with drums! (And don’t forget this return gift from some Jews who appreciated Orrin Hatch’s Hanukkah song!) In Christmas readings, Seattle Dan and Tammy share one of the most powerful images in English Literature, and Cele has re-imagined another Christmas classic for her local team’s victory over BYU. And General J.C. Christian has a whole selection of videos for Jesus’ birthday!
Back at church, Phylomytha talks about practicing goodness with the Unitarians, Andrew imagines meeting the Mormon relatives for Christmas, and flygirl misses having home teachers to call on.
In other holidays, Allison offers a Winter Solstice meditation and Scot offers us some lovely presents for Inter-Solstice!
We’ve definitely had some wintery weather! MeL was snowed in as was Michelle (with pics!). My family almost was too, but not quite — darn those super-efficient Minneapolis snow-plows! Susan is not happy with the ice on her driveway. And Xuxana gives us an update on the weather in the UK as she prepares to celebrate her first ChriFSmas!
In my family, we’ve got everyone together for Christmas for the first time in ten years — my parents plus all of their offspring and S.O.’s of offspring — quite a feat now that there are twenty of us! In addition to my two posts about my kids’ existential musings, we have stories of the old and the new: my mom posted the Christmas 1950 branch newsletter painted by my grandmother. And my little preemie niece — who is spending her first Christmas in the hospital — has graduated from the isolette to a regular bassinet! (I was kind of hoping my sister would post some photos of the family gatherings, and maybe she will.)
In blogging notes: Craig will be hosting the next Carnival of the Godless, so prepare your posts! (Also, the Humanist Symposium had a special Solstice Edition.)
Peace and Happy Holidays!
Here’s a little update on my own family Christmas adventures — with lots of pictures, courtesy of my sister and sister-in-law!
The one thing my sister Cathy neglected to mention was how thrilled Nico was to see her again! Quoth Nico: “When Cathy’s here, fun is here!“