Christmas 1997
Once again, people have become busy. Shops have stocked up for the season of giving. Shoppers have mastered the art of shopping for the perfect gift at the last minute. Yes! It is once again “the most wonderful time of the year”. Oh, yes! It is the season when you will have an opportunity to watch that classic film “It’s A Wonderful Life!” in living (color?) black and white.
We have a lot of things associated with Christmas but unfortunately (most of the time) we left out The Reason for Christmas – The Son Of God, Jesus. Year after year, we go on with our own Christmas “rituals” but will never be able to experience real Christmas until we allow Jesus Christ to be born in our heart.
We had a wonderful Christmas. We, too were busy. But the successive snow storms that hit southern New Brunswick made it difficult to move around the city. We bought our tree at the height of the second snow storm. We trimmed it with the decorations Karen made. On top of the tree was a home made “PAROL” (star lantern) to add Filipino flavour. Keshia was an angel in their Sunday School play. Kyle’s class played the sheep part but he didn’t want to be a sheep. The Senior Choir presented a cantata during the morning service of Dec 22nd. Kyle and Keshia were so excited on Christmas Eve after the candle light service. They can’t wait to open their gifts. True enough, as soon as they woke up the following day, they rushed to the tree and started opening their gifts. It was a joy seeing them with their eyes wide open as they rip the gift wrap from their presents.
The following day, the weather was mild and snowing. It was a nice time sliding on the hill in the park. Kyle had a wonderful time playing in the snow (and eating them, too). We also had a chance to build a huge (about 7 ft) snow man infront of the apartment.
The biggest news at the start of the year (1998) was the ice storm first in Quebec, then north-east Ontrario, then eastern Maine and southern New Brunswick. I was overwhelmed to witness steel towers that hold power lines topple due to the weight of the ice that has accumulated on the high tension wires.But Fredericton was spared, although we have so much snow already on the ground which looks like mountains that have been there for years. The only thing I was hoping is an early spring and a wonderful summer. Hopefully, it will come in the next two months.