Unfortunate events

No, these events didn't happened to me, but to the Baudelaire orphans in the Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events." I finally finished the thirteenth and last book in the series. It's been a hazardous journey which I thoroughly enjoyed down the last sentence, and I've told my younger brother (who is almost finished with the series) that my kids will know about these books and have the chance to read them before they turn 18. Besides the harrowing adventures which seem to sprout up one after another, Lemony Snicket (a.k.a. Daniel Handler) scatters vocabulary definitions and just-plain-interesting trivia throughout the story, furthering the educational advancement of his readers.

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..."

Yeah, right, not gonna happen! (But this is Colorado, and it's supposed to be snowing.)

Oh, well. Despite no stunning view of snow falling outside my window, it's been a great Christmas this year. The Christmas Eve service last evening at church was just beautiful; and then we drove home, ate our customary pizza, and opened gifts. And that reminds me, we should each be thoughtful of what gift-giving at Christmas is all about. Salvation through Christ's birth, death, and resurrection was God's gift to man . . . the greatest gift of all. I know, I'm basically reiterating what I mentioned at the end of my last post, but it does us good to constantly remember all that the Lord has done for us. I was blessed by my pastor's message this past Sunday on Mary's praise song:

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
(Luke 1:46-53, KJV)

God bless each of you and give you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!