This Christmas break was/is a relaxing one. Usually we’re running around doing something with friends or family, but this year we stuck around the house. Somehow among our usual craziness before the holiday, we did find time to write an official Christmas letter, fill out Christmas cards, and send off the holiday gifts. These past few days we’ve had a great time doing absolutely nothing, watching movies, playing games, and sleeping in. Even our dog seems to be happy with our homebody approach this year. We did emerge today though for post-Christmas shopping.

Although not necessarily the highlight of my Christmas break from work, I did conquer a self-assemble wooden marble cycler. I honestly don’t know what to call it, but it’s pretty cool. It came in a box of 6 wooden punch-out sheets. It also took me 4 hours to assemble on Christmas Day. The box has been sitting behind me in my home office reminding me of its presence for the whole year. (My brother gave it to me for Christmas last year.) But now it’s standing and functioning. I shall take it to the office in town and let the coworkers marvel at this thing that cycles marbles endlessly.

Our Christmas tree is filled the kids’ handmade ornaments; two sections of icicle lights are burned out on the front gutter of the house; a handful of nativity scenes fill up our TV cabinet; stuffing from new dog toys lay scattered around the house; baskets of leftover Christmas snacks huddle under the tree; holiday pillows pile up on one end of the couch. It’s been a chill week. Tomorrow we’re actually going to try out a nearby gym that we recently joined. Something about trying new things for a New Year. Next week I’ll be taking more time off for a long weekend with the family.

We hope your holidays are just as refreshing and that you can enjoy time with the family and friends you care about. Most of all, we hope you find that Jesus Christ is the real reason for the Christmas season. It is only though our walk with Him that we can have peace and joy today and every day.