December in Alaska

Like most everywhere in the world, December in Fairbanks is full of familiar things–carols and sparkling lights, shopping, baking, gatherings and get-togethers and lots and lots of food. There were some memorable differences–temperatures that reached into the negative 30’s for starters. “Will it be a white Christmas?” said no one in Fairbanks. Ever. And moose! In the backyard! (I wanted to feed them but Aubrey wouldn’t let me.) We may have been five instead of the usual twenty-five, and we may have spent the month missing many of our new (and old) babies and dealing with a new baby puppy. Here, like most everywhere, there’s often too much to do and too little time. Too many presents and not enough presence. Too much doing and not enough being. Being still. Being thankful. Being kind. But…Christmas. No matter how much we may try to deny it, or fill up our lives with poor substitutes, or even just lazily allow the busyness and chaos to distract us from what’s True, it’s here. Because He is here. And the whole world can rejoice. His law is love. His gospel is peace. Wishing you a year filled with both.