The 11th Day of Christmas

I loved Kate Bowlers Advent Blessings this year. Yesterday's was the most important and will change the way I look at Christmas for the rest of my life. It was an explanation of the 12 days of Christmas. It begins with the arrival of Jesus and ends when the Three Kings Arrive. I have always kept my tree up until that day. But, didn't know that is how the date was arrived at. This year it is January 6th. So, I am going to try to post each day. I am going to share something that makes me hopeful each day. The beauty of Kate Bowler is she is very optimistic, but is very realistic in how terrible the world is sometimes. She is young, yet a surviver of stage 4 colon cancer. She was diagnosed in 2015. She is a Duke University Theology Professor. What I am going to share each day is the felt birds I decorated my tree with. And, how the one pictured is from the store J Jill. I just love it and the embroidery on it. The dove can symbolize peace or in the Catholic Religion the Holy Spirit. I watched videos of Pope Francis Christmas Eve. Did you know this year is a jubilee year? Again, I am 65 years old and still learning meanings of traditions like the 12 days AND the Jubilee year. This year the theme is HOPE. With all the years of my life, I feel HOPE is what is most needed today. And, I just didn't want to wake up this morning and think Christmas is over. It is not just a day. It is a feeling. And, I am happy to carry this feeling into the New Year. I recieved two felt birds for Christmas. And, when I put them on the tree today, I will be thinking with intention of two really important prayers of hope. Quote of the day: "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." – Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol Song of the day: Matthew West "The Hope of Christmas"