Countdown to Christmas

So, in yesterday's post, I probably gave the impression that I don't like to have any fun at Christmas. Nothing could be further from the truth. I do, however, believe that a religious holiday should have some religious expression and that its meaning should be impressed upon the children...in a fun way, of course!

This year we're doing a countdown to Christmas. I've never had an Advent calendar, but I made one of my own sort of. Technically, Advent started on Sunday, November 27th, so I can't exactly call my calendar an Advent calendar. I got the idea from one of those crafty magazines that I can't remember the name of. (As an aside, the hubs and I often have a cheap date night at Barnes & Noble where he reads his comics and I read my magazines. No comments, please.) In the picture you can see or at least imagine 24 little red and green bags each of which have a number on it. When each number is unrolled, there is a Bible verse for the day. Inside each bag are two treats - one for each of my boys. I can't pass up an opportunity for sweets. See, I know how to have fun. (cough)

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  Luke 1:30-32

Putting the Christ Back in Christmas and Why I Drink Egg Nog From a Shot Glass

Last year, the commercialism surrounding Christmas really bothered me. It still bothers me. This feeling is nothing new. Charlie Brown lamented about the holiday commercialism over 45 years ago. I wonder if Jews feel the same about Hanukkah, or maybe Hanukkah isn't so commercial like Christmas. I don't know.

Anyway, this year I've been thinking about Christmas traditions and how they (should) fit in with the overall religious/spiritual significance of the holiday. I'm going to start a new tradition: instead of an Advent calendar (which I never do), I'm going to do a Scripture verse a day leading up to Christmas. Today's verse is John 3:16. Speaking of Scripture verses, I was in Kmart a few days ago and I found Scripture Candy. You can see the tin in the picture. I rolled my eyes and thought it was kind of cheese ball, but then I thought, "What the heck!" and I bought some. Just because a holiday is religious doesn't mean it can't be fun. Reflection.

My other latest Christmas tradition - which is not spiritual in nature -  is to drink egg nog from a shot glass. Yes, a shot glass. If the shot glass is dirty, then I use a liqueur glass. Each holds 1oz of liquid. You see, when it comes to egg nog, moderation is even more important than it is for alcohol, in my opinion. The particular brand that I buy is 190 calories per 4oz. I can easily drink an 8oz glass of egg nog sans brandy and think,  "Holy Toledo, I just inhaled 380 calories! Can I have some fudge with that?" Moderation.

May the peace and love of Christ be with you this holiday season and always.


"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James1:27

Update WLJ

I've updated the Weight Loss Journal with the latest photo. November has been an interesting month. I've been ranging between 153 and 154 all month. This morning, the scale read 154.5lbs. The one bright spot is I went to Target to buy some sweat pants and you'll never guess what size I bought. That's right a size Small. Yeah, I know, they're only sweat pants but still. Considering the fact that at the beginning of this year, I wore an XL in sweats, I'd say that by the grace of God, I've come a long way. Now that's something to be thankful for. Onward and downward.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I know, I know: Thanksgiving was yesterday. A day late and a dollar short. Still, hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope you all are blessed in the coming year with more to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!