a combination of Christmas thoughts

I have to write a 2000-2500 word essay on Christmas for my final writing paper. At first I thought I would write about the history of Christmas and how we are to keep Christ in mind as we celebrate, and I still am going to write about that, but something else too.

We should always be celebrating Christmas. Christmas is forever now - because Christ is always with us. 

We save Christmas hymns for church services in December, but we should always be singing glory to the new born King. I look over at the tree, and the star on top and think "the wise men still seek him". A little angel dangling on a low branch; do we continue to worship him as they did on that night? I see JOY in a window, is that a reminder, or is it just a part of the season as well?

I love Christmas, I really do, and I know it would be hard for me not to have Christmas. I could live without presents, and the turkey dinner, but our family time, not. I know I will have to let go of that someday, but hopefully I will be able to start traditions of my own when that happens.

Wow, 2013 is just days away. Seriously, where has the time gone? 

the tree is crooked...the lights will cover it

I think our tree is crooked. I don't care. I'm home.

It's been crazy, I was employed at the piano for my first church service back home, helped my brother with his farm work, Monday was my one down day so I did house chores, Tuesday we watched The Hobbit, and today my Bestie came over and we made bagels and ganache swirled brownies. Yum. (And for those of you who go and check the link out, we did NOT put alcohol in them.)

Downside: I am getting a sore throat. It snowed and slushed today. I haven't finished my Christmas essay. But it's okay.

I can't think of anything profound to say at the moment. Nothing thought-provoking, or heart felt. I should think up something soon because a lot of my posts have been pretty empty and boring. Just me talking about myself and what I do. I will work on that.

Day Twelve

Day 12: summary of first semester

I never thought I'd get here.

Well, I'm here, writing this blog post on my journey home. It's been pretty crazy, the final exam yesterday, and a crazy afternoon to follow. Woke up this morning, quick ride to the train station, went on a train and a subway for the first time. Explored down town Toronto, and spent this afternoon with some pretty crazy, amazing people.

Now I am heading home. Oh, I am so excited.

This first semester at Gillespie was like nothing I have ever experienced. It was so different, it was so good, it was hard too. I cried, I laughed, I got tired, I worried, all about things I had never cried, laughed, got tired, or worried about before. I have met some amazing people, learned some astounding things about that which I put my faith in, and sometimes felt like my brain would blow up; and this was only half of it. They say next year is harder, but I take that as more amazing, more knowledge, all the better for me. (At least I try to take it like that)

Well, I'm ready to go home. I'm ready for a break, I'm ready to see my family, my friends, my church family, and those furry little things that I have missed so much. I miss Nova Scotia, the country, familiarity, and home.

 Home, here I come.

Day Eleven

Day 11: a song for Christmas

this one by Casting Crowns. I love their Christmas album, I love this song.

Oh, and I am done the exam. It's all over. 

Day Ten

Day 10: a dream...

Enjoy the rest of my Gillespie life. Including the next twenty hours. My brain is blowing up and almost fried simultaneously.

Aristotle makes no sense.

Aquinas really wasn't that great.

John Calvin was amazing.

Francis Bacon thought he was; he wasn't.

I can't wait for pizza tomorrow, not because I love pizza, but because we'll be done. DONE.

Day Nine

Day 9: a quote for Christmas

from this post on girl talk

"The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity - hope for pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory - because at the Father's will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later he might hang on a cross. It is the most wonderful message that the world has ever heard, or will hear" - J. I. Packer

Day Eight

Day 8: biggest worry

Will I make the walk home? Or will I die of hunger?

I'm kidding, my life would be pretty pathetic if that was by biggest worry.

Right now, I am really concerned about my history exam. Not necessarily passing, but my motives. I want to gain knowledge, and learn from every experience in all my schooling. If I fail, I want to use that to push me to further learning. If I pass, I still want to continue that learning, and not throw away what I know as soon as a get through this.

Our Old Testament teacher called me a priest today. Then we gave him Cap'n Crunch which he was very grateful for. It was a good morning.