Yes, we need a little Christmas

I finally, finally got the white tree put up as well as my manger scene. The white tree always makes me smile. It's really beautiful. I don't think it shows up very well in the photo and I still need to make a star for the top. I usually have an angel I put up there, but she decided to take a trip to Bermuda with Mrs. Claus so I'm going to work on plan B.

I also managed to get the manger scene all arranged. I love putting up our nativity scene. It's a combination of three different

sets. One I made in a ceramics

class years ago. Remember ceramics? Does anyone do this anymore? Some

of it turned out well, others not so well. My sister

always said that the Mary I made

looked more like a hooker instead of the Virgin Mary. She was more of a Madonna-esque sort of Mary only she actually predates the singer Madonna. She's buried in the bottom of the box now. I use a much more suitable looking Mary.

This Mary does not have the 70's eyeliner that I put on her.

I also have lots of animals. I didn't put them all out. I have a fox, and a bear, and a skunk, and chickens, rabbits and 3 little mice thatI put up on top. The list of animals is quite extensive. A friend even gave me a manatee one year to add. It's kind of ridiculous, really. It became a Noah's Ark type of manger scene. I exhibited restraint this year. That is hard for me. Really, it is.

This is the side with lots of shepards. I always liked the shepards in the Christmas story. My favorite part of Christmas is Linus from Peanuts reading the Christmas story. I can hear his little voice reading the King James version:

	And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
	And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
	And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
	For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
	And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
	And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
	Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And that's how it should be. Peace to you and yours.