Christ is born!

We've had a lovely Nativity so far and will have our family dinner soon. Ham, rolls, green beans, and cheesecake made by yours truly. It's chocolate cheesecake too. We had the midnight service last night, mostly presided over by a visiting priest who is probably one of my favorite people in the whole world. And Christ is born! Did I mention that?

I've always loved Pascha more than Nativity, but somehow this year they strike me as very much connected. Without one we can't have the other; without the Child in the manger, there is no Crucifixion and no Resurrection.

I also listened very carefully to all the commandments in the service (it's interesting to me that they're very clearly commands--we don't have any excuses to ignore them) to rejoice since Christ is born. I've been needing some joy recently since I've been facing some tough decisions about things in the future and I don't like thinking about the future much, especially when I don't have any answers. I tend to get panicky. There were other factors involved which didn't make it any easier. So, all in all, it's been hard around here recently and the reminders to have joy for Christ has conquered death came at just the right time.

And yes, I will put up the 2007 Books post soon, I promise. I have not forgotten about it. We've just been so busy with all the Nativity preparations that I haven't had a chance to sit down and type it up.

Hope you're having a wonderful Nativity if you celebrate it today, and a blessed day no matter what!