10 Adorable Animals Enjoying the Snow: Christmas Daybook, 10
My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. We'll be spending Christmastide with some favorite short films and video clips. Join me, won't you?
Watch: We’ve only had the smallest of snowfalls where I live so far this winter, so I’m making up for it with today’s curation of cute animals playing in the snow. 1-2-3, say “awwwww!”
Read: Psalm 5-6; Psalm 10-11; Isaiah 40:25-31; Ephesians 1:15-23; Mark 1:14-28
Pray: A Liturgy For the First Snow
O Christ, King of Snow, we bless you for bidding this blanket of white to cover us in holy hush, that our hearts might be quieted at the sight, that we might sense the emptiness of canvas over which Your Spirit broods, and upon which you would create and recreate our hearts in the image of the one whose word first spoke snow into existence.
—excerpted from Every Moment Holy, Douglas McKelvey
Do: Savor warmth.
I'm guessing many of you are back to work, maybe even school, today? Here's something to look forward to when you get back home snug and sound.
We keep a hot cocoa "station" up throughout December and January (well, sometimes February, too!). During the early days of Christmastide, we tend to enjoy all the special delicacies the cocoa takes a back seat. Today's a good day to enjoy again the simple pleasure of a mug of hot cocoa and your favorite add-ons (marshmallows, whipped cream, candy canes, schnapps, etc.) Bonus points for all those who actually venture outside before enjoying the hot beverage.
You may also want to invite along some friends. I love this idea shared at Like Mother, Like Daughter - Modest Hospitality: A Hot Cocoa Party.
Playlists for Christmas
Christmas Eve (for my Momma): The quirky, sometimes kitschy, a little bit emo, and often melancholy playlist I made when we lived so far away from my parents. Now we live far away from other people we love, but the title of the playlist will remain in honor of those first homesick years.
Ring the Bells: A bit more traditional playlist (but still highlighting the lesser-known music of the season).
All 12 Days: A playlist for a festive and full Christmastide:
*Sunday Scripture readings are taken from Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary. Daily Scripture readings are taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and include Morning and Evening Psalms (Year 1).