Elf Portrait

Here is Jingle Bell, the artist.  He's doing an elf portrait.  He got into a lot of Mommy's art supplies, and appears to be making an impression.  Art may not be dead after all!

Today was a long day of work for Daddy, as we were setting up an ice skating rink at the church, and sort of manning it in the evening.  Of course, it's not really an ice skating rink.  It's this plastic that's white, and interlocks with other similar pieces.  And then they spray this liquid stuff on it, and people are actually able to move around on top of it - some even gliding - while wearing real ice skates.  It appears like ice skating, but it doesn't really count.  As we have our own ice skates at the house, I'm thinking we may try out skating on Sunday after church, but Daddy will call it "plastic skating" or something like that.

Madison had a good week at school this week.  We got our mistletoe in the mail this week from Oregon, from an eleven-year-old entrepreneur.  This girl - also named Madison - wasn't allowed to sell mistletoe in the public park, but government officials told her she was allowed to beg there like the others that were there.  Again, she can't sell mistletoe - she can't work to earn money - but she can beg for it instead.  The flawed logic here worked in her favor big time:  the story was spread nationwide, and Mommy was one of the first people to order mistletoe from her.  We got it today - she only had about a hundred to sell, and Mommy got it quickly.  We'll have to take a picture of Madison with the mistletoe soon.  Madison of course knows all about mistletoe, because she likes giving little kisses!

Back to work - but here's today's entry in our Christmas movie devotional collection:

DECEMBER 13 - "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Throughout “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown tries to find answers. He’s missing something about Christmas – he can’t put his finger on why, but he thinks there’s something wrong.

His sister Sally thinks Christmas is about gifts. And if not gifts, then cash – in tens and twenties, please.

His pet Snoopy thinks it is about the lights, and winning first prize.

His friends all think is about having a good time, as none of them seem to want to put on a serious Christmas play.

Finally, he breaks down and asks the big question. Does anyone know what Christmas is all about?

Fortunately, Linus is there to give him the truth. Linus tells him the words we all need to hear, straight from the Bible: "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 unto 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 Savior, 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.’”

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. And that’s when everyone really gets it. Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!