Still Chrismas?

Here is the big question, when do you take the Christmas tree down? This is second to, when do you put the Christmas tree up? In this house the answer is whenever it feels too old, but that changes constantly. I have heard that a very select few don't even take it down and is a permanent decoration. This is only possible of course with the fake trees which is the leading form of Christmas tree for South Africa. But still the question stands when does Christmas end?

Christmas Wrap

I'm impressed. I am not very good in wrapping presents as you can see from some of my efforts at the back. Matthew wrapped Lynda's Christmas' gift and he did it to such perfection that even the stripes lined up. I am not worthy!

Ho Ho Ho

Ho Ho Ho, really Bloemfontein, the place where we are staying still have a Christmas tree standing proudly in the lounge. Using AirBnB, we have booked ourselves into a private townhouse that is quite neat except for a few quirkiness that I can only attribute to Bloemfontein, one is the Christmas tree, others is that the shower door is missing not to mention that the toilet door does not close. And downstairs, is yapping dog, a crying toddler, and a clapped out VW Golf that has to be jump started in the mornings with the usual dropping close of the bonnet (hood). 

Happy Christmas! No wait it must be Ground Hog Day as I feel that this town is trapped in a time loop.

Hidden Drummer

Come, they told me

Pa rum pum pum pum

To sing Carols

Pa rum pum pum pum

To the newborn King

Pa rum pum pum pum

Ra pum pum pum

Ra pum pum pum

But no one told me they going to hide the little drummer boy on top of the jungle gym.

Welcome to the jungle, as we sang Christmas carols under the stars at the cross roads of Malibongwe and Bellairs to celebrate our Messiah, who came as a baby into this world and to whom all knees will bend before Him. While many rushed about doing late night shopping in a world of gifts of debt, a few from Centre Church worshiped the Messiah for which this season is really all about.

Oh Christmas Tree

"Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, your ornaments are history" meowed the cats in unison, as Rebekah, Matthew, and Lynda decorated the Christmas tree. Now I am not sure what the traditions are of when to put up the Christmas tree but today felt just right.

With Rebekah putting most of the decorations within her reach, I am sure the cats are going to have a whale of a time swotting those Christmas balls. I remember last year Minky even climbed the tree as what else is a tree climbing cat supposed to do when you put a challenge in front of her.

After Christmas Eve

After all the hard work on Christmas eve, getting all the presents out to those who were naughty and nice, I saw Father Christmas at the local shops preparing for his summer vacation here in South Africa. South Africa has lots to offer in terms of a get away from the colder regions of the North Pole, so I wasn’t surprised to see him and Mrs Claus around.

Iconic Christmas

Family means a lot to me even though I am not one who enjoys too much family company but on Christmas Day family means the most to me especially big family gatherings. During today’s Christmas lunch at Marco and Robynne’s home, Robynne handed me her phone to take a photo of the family and this is the iconic photo taken.

From left to right are Marco, Shekinah, Kojak, John, Joshua, Bradley, Dael, Lynda, and Robynne all in different poses. Sadly Hilton, Matthew, Rebekah and I were out of the photo. Hopefully next year I will rectify that.

Hey Granddad, why did you leave me out?

So as for my family pictured above and those who are not, we wish you all a meaningful Christmas with much peace, joy and most of all, LOVE in abundance.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

This year I left the Christmas tree for last, when Matthew and his cousins where visiting. So here is Matthew with Danielle and Jean-Jurie decorating the Christmas tree, fa la la la, la la la la.

Now we are ready, well just about.

9 Weeks

Yes it is 9 weeks of crazy till Christmas Day, and already the trees and decorations are going up at a furious rate to start capturing the spending frenzy that tends to happen at this time.

To this day, I still don't know what a pine, fir, or a spruce tree has to do with what Christmas is all about as there never was any of those trees in Bethlehem.

The Day After

On the day after we celebrated the birth of the Messiah, I stood in front of this empty broken throne. The children are gone, so are the presents, even Santa Claus is nowhere to be seen. Dare I ask the question, has Santa replaced Jesus this Christmas?

Santa Claus comes but once a year bringing gifts to all those on the good list and lumps of coal to those on the naughty list. But the Messiah came to bring the gift of grace to all those who accepts him, good or naughty.

And the best part the throne is not empty.

Inside Out

Yesterday Matthew and I finished off our day by putting up the Christmas tree in the lounge much to the fascination of our cats. Ooooh it looks like Christmas has come early for the cats with a tree inside the house instead of out.

Christmas Dinner

With the year ending and Christmas just 5 weeks away, our Home Circle group held their Christmas dinner at Andy and Sandy’s home.

As always an awesome spread was laid out and it was a grand end to the year. The starters were followed by roast turkey, lamb, potatoes, and vegetables as the main course. And hot on its heels was dessert.

Seeing Eye to Eye

It is the Battle of the Wills as Matthew goes eye to eye with Father Christmas over the Naughty List. So who do you think will blink first? Matthew does seem very determined as he wants his name off the list. I must say that hairy man dressed in red was rather short which should help ease the reindeers with their overloading problem.

Sixteen days to go

With only one week to go until the workers break for the Christmas holidays and 16 shopping days left until Jesus' birthday, it has become all rush to get things finished before the break. The question I am starting to ask is what is all the fuss about? Lots of parties and death on our roads? It looks like the world has forgotten what Christmas is all about.

Next week I have been asked to be Santa at an orphanage in Edenvale. It must have been my girth that gave me away as a secret Santa but how can I turn that down. This is the time to give some love to someone else that is not expecting it, someone that can't afford what our Christmas has become but know what the true meaning of Christmas is. 

Eddie and Elaine

Christmas Lunch

Ken, Darryl, Shannon, Mom, Simone,
Carol, Matthew, Amy and Connor

Re-acquaintance

Matthew, Malcolm and Maxy

Eight days till Christmas

Christmas Party One

Leigh and Janet