Merry Christmas from my house to yours

Today, the Nebraska weather is frightful with windchills well below freezing. Snow is gracefully falling outside. Our hopes of a White Christmas are strong today, yet the rumored warmer temperatures that will arrive next week will probably dash them. The frigid temps are not highly motivating for leaving the house.

On a day such as today, I cannot help but think of one of my favorite Christmas poems written by Christina Rosetti. Perhaps you have heard this one set to music.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

Continuing on a more personal note … Since I did not manage to highlight another “Home for the Holidays” this week, I thought I would share a few pictures of my own house. Carefully edited, of course, to eliminate the toys and stuff that my children are supposed to have already cleaned up. 🙂 This time of year certainly makes for a festive place to live. During the colder Nebraska winters, our fireplace is frequently in use. Thankful that we have one to enjoy!

I wish I was upstairs enjoying the roaring fire. Instead I am living at the computer these days. Time is escaping me since I have been immersed in writing my Nebraska book. But I have been thinking of you, my readers, as I have been working on compiling Nebraska places. I am hopeful that my title will be a well-done reference that will lead many of you to having your own Nebraska adventures.

Hope you are all enjoying this Christmas season! Be warm and be well!