[Magdalen] Happy Christmas!

[Jay Weigel]

We are having a relaxing day here. I'm getting the roast ready for the
crock pot (bacon-wrapped beef roast with balsamic glaze) before we head out
for a movie. We did not exchange presents as we decided to pool funds and
take a week on Sanibel Island in January instead, so there were only my
list give, a parcel from my brother, and an envelope from my eldest to
open. I then tried out the new waffle plates for my Cuisinart griddler (a
fine addition!) and we had waffles with real maple syrup and blackberries,
since today is one of our "free" days. Tonight we'll have the
aforementioned roast with oven-roasted rainbow baby potatoes and sautéed
kale, and cranberry-apple cake with sour cream for dessert.

Yesterday evening I made my first foray to the Christmas Eve candlelight
service at my adopted Lutheran church. I don't love my new church (yet) but
I like it. I'm still having trouble with the service music and a few of the
differences in the liturgy, but I've learned I'm not the only misplaced
Episcopalian in the congregation. It's a welcoming place and I'm starting
to make some friends, and I've begun to volunteer for things, which is a
sure way to become part of the church. Anyway, last night's service was
interesting and pleasant, but I was so homesick for my old parish in TN
that I nearly had a crying jag afterwards. The season has been a bit
stressful for me anyway, what with fixing up the money pit my house in TN
has turned into (even with my son-in-law doing most of the work!) and
worrying about my Adam, who is on a downturn again, so it doesn't take much
to set me off, but today is better, and a trip to see Robin Williams' last
film should help.

On Thu, Dec 25, 2014 at 1:14 PM, Joseph Cirou <romanos at mindspring.com>
wrote:
>
> Well, to my surprise, the pastor served the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil. It
> is about 10 minutes longer than St. John Chrysostom.
>
> I walked into church, and there was no chanter.
>
> So I got vested and was joined by the Arabic chanter.
>
> Our voices match well, so we had some good two part harmony.
>
> So much for a day off from  musical responsibility.
>
> When you can't find the Melkite Hymnal it is always good to have someone
> who  knows the Arabic chant from childhood.
>
> Listening to Morehouse/Spelman Christmas program. (The organist was my
> table companion at one of our centennial events)
>
> Joe
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 25, 2014 at 11:44 AM, James Handsfield <jhandsfield at icloud.com
> >
> wrote:
>
> > Merry Christmas from the Handsfield residence in Atlanta.
> >
> > Our Christmas is quiet.  We went to the afternoon celebration of the
> > Nativity yesterday afternoon with a delightful children’s Christmas
> > pageant.  The choir was mostly children who sang beautifully.
> >
> > Fixed chicken cacciatore for dinner then watched It’s A Wonderful Life
> > until bedtime.
> >
> > This morning, minimal gifts - we really don’t need anything - followed by
> > a big breakfast.  Dinner will be mostly traditional at 5:00 this
> afternoon.
> >
> > O come, let us adore him.
> >
> > Jim Handsfield
> > jhandsfield at icloud.com
>