It's the Grinch!

This morning, Jingle Bell apparently wanted to join the Big Top!  He's been a creative elf this season, even though he works for peanuts.  

Later this morning at church, we had a special visitor, one that three words best describe (and I quote):  "Stink!  Stank! Stunk!"

He's the Grinch, and it was a central theme of our morning.  We love in this story how Cindy Lou shows relentless love to the unlovable, eventually winning everyone over to the idea that we are supposed to share God's love with everyone, no matter if they are green and possibly hairy.

Madison met up with the Grinch between services, who was busy posing with kids all morning for various photo ops.

After Christmas, we headed home for a bit, eating and preparing for an event of a different kind:  the Living Christmas Tree at Gainesville's First Baptist Church.

This was the first presentation that Madison had seen, and she enjoyed the whole thing.  She sat still for the hour or so it lasted, listening intently to the music and watching the new lighting that wandered all over the tree.  It was a good performance as always, strong with the Christmas message, complete with actors representing those at the Nativity - Madison was surprised when the three Wise Men came in from behind us.  The lighting was amazing as always, and the facility beautiful.  At the very end, as always, they performed the "Hallelujah Chorus, where everyone stands at the closing.

There are different stories as to why we stand - I've heard about three different versions of why we all stand at this song.  But stand we did, and stand Madison did for her first time hearing the chorus in person.  It's always such an impressive thing to hear in person, certainly with a live orchestra performing as well.  You know the pressure has to be on that one trumpeter for that one little part towards the end - all ears are listening to see if he can pull it off.

We left, and made another drive down Green Street to see the lights, so festive.  And we went home.  It was late enough, and there was piano practice to consider.  Madison did enough to satisfy everyone, properly motivated by the thought of Lego Marvel as a reward.  Yes, Daddy got that for Christmas this year.  SO, away we go with another Lego game, which Madison loves.  Something tells me that this one will be a part of our schedule for some time to come.

It was a nice day together, and we're blessed that Mommy is now doing much better.  The three of us are officially "on the mend," which is wonderful.

We just have to stay away from those frozen flag poles.  You know how those can get:

DECEMBER 15 - "A Christmas Story"

There are dares, and then there are serious dares. For example, if we dare you to do something, it’s just a casual challenge. If we double dare you to do something, we’re being a bit more insistent – and a triple dare is quite a dare in itself. But if we triple dog dare you, that’s another matter entirely. It’s almost as if you have no choice, but to do whatever you’re told to do!

In “A Christmas Story,” we see the results of a triple dog dare. Schwartz triple dog dares poor Flick into putting his tongue on a freezing cold flag pole. Everyone knows what will happen – his tongue will get stuck! And Flick doesn’t really want to do it, but everyone is looking. So sure enough, he sticks his tongue to that frozen flag pole.

It’s painful and embarrassing, and twenty minutes later, it takes the fire department and police department to get him unstuck. But perhaps Flick learned a big lesson that day.

It’s one we can learn as well. Peer pressure can be an ugly thing. Inside, you know what you should do, and what you shouldn’t do. As a Christian, you know that doing certain things aren’t bright, and have the potential to leave you stuck in a painful or embarrassing situation.

But the world wants you to do those things. The world is ready to laugh at you! In fact, the world is sitting there, skipping etiquette and going for the throat with a sinister triple dog dare!

They left him out there all alone, stuck somewhere he didn’t want to be. The next time you’re tempted to do anything you know you shouldn’t, remember Schwartz!