The Essence of Christmas

Merry 2nd Day of Christmas!  ¡Feliz 2o Día de Navidad!  I had a busy week, with a Quinceañera, a Baptism, 2 Christmas Eve Eucharists, and more.  I was exhausted by Christmas Day, but feel blessed to serve 2 marvelous congregations.  This weekend I'm enjoying some time with my family around Texas.

Santa Mickey Mouse Christmas Gifttags
Colorful Options - December 2025 (All Things Gingerbread Photo Color Scheme)
Random-osity - Merry Christmas
What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 864/84

For my first project, I have a set of 2 Christmas gift tags I made for my grandson's gifts.  (They're hanging on their Christmas tree now.)  I used the Spellbinders Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse, the Christmas Embellishments, the Borders, and the Alphabet etched dies sets; black foam; various color and prints of cardstock; Kraft tags; and various kinds of adhesives.  These were fun, fast and easy to make, for which I'm glad, as I hadn't had time to wrap presents until Monday.

Elby Cartoon
Friday Face Off - End of Year

For my next piece, I have a cartoon character I created based on my oldest grandson.  I used a black marker and colored pencils in a Strathmore Mixed Media vellum finish journal.  It was fun working on it, and I'm thinking I'll start a series using him as one of the characters.  I want to develop a character based on my youngest grandson too.

Last, but not least, I want to share some photos of what the essence of Christmas has been for me this week, and an excerpt from my Christmas Eve sermon:

Noche Buenas Wreath on a Cross
TADD - Gratitude

The Cross at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, in Brackettville, Texas, where I serve as their supply priest.

My wife's Poinsettia (Noche Buena in Spanish) in our front porch, which she nursed for a whole year.

The Candle Light Mass I celebrated at St. Andrew's.

The Blessing of a New Child, on Christmas Eve, at St. James Episcopal Church, in Del Rio, Texas, where I'm their Rector.

Me enjoying a cup of coffee in my living room on Christmas morning.

My grandson Elby enjoying the new bike we got him for Christmas.

My grandson Memin meeting my mother for the first time.

I believe the core reason why we come together on Christmas Eve, is for the essence.  We want to know that despite our personal changing stories, despite what has happened over the past year, despite the problems that face our world, Christmas is still a constant, the truth, and can still happen in our lives, communities, nation and around the world.  We want to find hope in knowing that God’s light still shines in the darkness, that the truth of the good news is still being proclaimed by some people, and that God is still with us.

This will be my last post for 2025, so Happy New Year!  ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Arnoldo+