Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
The young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. God is with us.
It was getting late on Saturday. I wasn't in top form all day, but knew that before the light faded completely I needed to get into the backyard to take a bunch of
pictures of Miss Emmy Lou in the snow wearing some of her Christmas costumes. She
was so very good about both the Elf hat with jingle bell collar and the felt
antlers, just her size.
At one point an other-than-smart squirrel began to run down the dogwood at the side of the house. Not missing a beat, Emmy took off, antlers and all, leaping through the air with a grace that neither Rudolf nor Baryshnikov could
match.
They zig-zagged through the slush until the squirrel made a spiralling lunge
to the back fence. He made it, flung himself on the nearest tree and chattered back to Emmy's bark.
After divesting my EpiscoPup of her antlers and a enjoying a few spins of the floppy toss we were both inside..and the rains came thundering down.
Last night I picked up Virginia Woof, (not a typo)a 14-year-old standard poodle who will holiday with us at the mini manse. Over twice Emmy's age, she cannot hear well at all, but pulls something off with a regal air that both Emmy Lou and I can only marvel at: Virginia can still strut her stuff. We, the walking waddlers, watched in awe.
This Monday morning the front lawn has shed its shield of snow to expose some grass and my little nativity scene. Tonight, I have a checklist: feed and walk dogs, change clothes, turn on small lights on the trees outside, click on candles in the front windows, illuminate Jesus, Mary and Joseph for Christmas. With the list done I head into the city to celebrate with Ecclesia. We will worship in one of the city's parks with the homeless.
Christ with us.
