What if Mary didn't show up?

Mary didn't show up for practice. The children proceeded without her. The stars and angels knew where they were supposed to stand. The shepherds (one of them was missing, too.) got their entrance right on. Joseph held the baby. Someone was assigned to call Mary and tell her when shee needed to be there to dress for the final presentation.

Children's Christmas pageants -- what a delight!.

Mary was in place next to Joseph this evening--right where whe belonged.

But Christmas pageants bring up questions.

What if Mary didn't show up--you know--back there when the angel interrupted her day with his announcement --what if, when the angel said "Do not be afraid..." well, you know what always happens when an angel says that don't you? It's never anything easy. What if she gave the those days equivalent of "You gotta be kidding!"

Other Christmas pageant questions:

What is a shepherd? Is it a disciple?

Hmm, that's a good one to ponder, too.

Maybe the shepherds were the first disciples. They were the first to hear the news.

Others less pondersome--

Where's my halo?

Where do I sit?

When do we come back?






And the king who kept picking up his gift when they "went home by another way".



But still, think about it--what if Mary didn't show up? Are you showing up?

Best Costume--It's Geometry!

My Lego mad grandchildren would have loved this one.

It's Monday Geometry on the day after Halloween.

A Study in Red and White Parallel Lines

...or the flag on a breezy Fourth.

It's Geometry Monday!

In My World Today it's Groundhog Day

Today is Groundhog Day, and I hear that Punxatawney Phil has seen his shadow back there in Pennsylvania, and thus predicted that we will have six more weeks of winter.

Our local groundhog, Hanford Hank, has not seen his shadow today, and so I believe that, here in the Pacific Northwest at least, spring will indeed arrive in six weeks as it should.

Our closest encounters with groundhogs are their cousins the hoary marmots in the meadows of Mt. Rainier.

These guys will not even poke their heads above ground until late April at the earliest. At that time they are skinny little dudes, having hibernated since the previous September. They set out to eat their way through the spring and summer meadows, dining on grasses and wildflowers, lichens and mosses until they have doubled and more their girth, ready with a lovely layer of fat to carry them through another winter of sleep.

We met this marmot in July last year.

My World Tuesday brings out the best of bloggers from around the world. You will find their offerings here.

Merry Christmas!

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;

upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.


 
  

For a child is born unto us, a son is given us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

from Isaiah 6

My World Tuesday--Las Posadas

In My World today it was the time of Las Posadas, the novena (nine days prayer) which reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

In the traditional posadas, there is a procession of pilgrims from house to house, seeking shelter. At the first two houses the pilgrims are turn away.

In the name of heaven
I beg you for lodging,
for she cannot walk
my beloved wife.

This is not an inn
so keep going.
I cannot open
you may be a rogue.

The women gathered outside the doors of the body of the church in the vestibule. Well, at least most of them did. It was too crowded there, so some of us were just inside. We sang the verses requesting shelter.

Don't be inhuman;
Have mercy on us.
The God of the heavens
will reward you for it.
                                                                                

The men, led by Fr. Jaime                                  You can go on now

and Isaac, sang the responses                             and don't bother us,

of the people inside the houses.                          because if I become annoyed

                                                                            I'll give you a thrashing.

                     We are worn out

                     coming from Nazareth.

                     I am a carpenter,

                     Joseph by name.                      I don't care about your name;

                                                            Let me sleep,

                                                            because I already told you

                                                            we shall not open up.

                   I 'm asking you for lodging

                     dear man of the house

                     Just for one night

                     for the Queen of Heaven.      Well, if it's a queen 

                                                            who solicits it,

                                                            why is it at night

                                                            that she travels so alone?

The "householders" finally relent and let the pilgrims enter. They are led by a guitar and a lady playing bells.

My wife is Mary
She's the Queen of Heaven
and she's going to be the mother
of the Divine Word.

     Are you Joseph?
     Your wife is Mary?
     Enter, pilgrims;
     I did not recognize you.

         May God repay, gentle folks,                  

         your charity,

         and thus heaven heap                           Enter, holy pilgrims,

         happiness upon you.                             received this corner,

                                                             for though this dwelling is poor,

                                                             I offer it with all my heart.

My friend Lupe's nonagenarian dad stands for the blessing of all the fathers, and the children answer questions and sing songs to the Baby Jesus.    

Blessed is the house

that shelters this day

the pure Virgin,

the beautiful Mary.                          Oh, graced pilgrim,

                                                  oh, most beautiful Mary.

                                                  I offer you my soul

                                                  so you may have lodging.

Father Jaime and some of the children kneel before the altar to lead the final prayers of the evening.

                                                  

And that's my world today, Tuesday. What's happening elsewhere in the world? Find out here.

                                          

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

The faster participants in the two mile fun run (walk) were already on the return link as we were still headed outbound toward the turnaround point. We were pushing Kate in the stroller so that mom and dad could do the 10K. This is, I think, the eighth Mesa AZ Turkey Trot event we have participated in. We generally walk the two mile.

Winners in various age levels in the 10K win a turkey. They'll have to save them for Christmas dinner as they are frozen now. We got a turkey one year for most family members participating.

These runners in the 10K were just passing the starting line when the first of the finishers were coming in. There were a lot of runners this year!











The first across the finish line was one of nine wheelchair athletes. They had a slightly earlier starting time than the runners. The first runner was not far behind him. There were still alot of runners coming in when we left the park to come home and put the turkey in the oven.

Whether one mile, two miles or 10K--run, wheel, or walk--it helps make up for the extra calories feasting later in the day.