During December I have felt so blessed and taken by the Christmas spirit.
On the 2nd of December, I led Kid's church and we talked about preparing for Jesus' birth. We focused on how Elizabeth and Mary must have felt being told by God that they were both to have a child... Elizabeth's son was to prepare the way for Jesus and Mary's son was to be the Son of God. The verse that really stuck out to me was that "Nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).
My church had a Christmas Carol sing on the 6th of December. The music and lights and the mince pies after were so beautiful! I loved that I recognized many songs... again another example of how an unfamiliar place can become so familiar. One song that I heard several times this Christmas was "In the Bleak Midwinter". Here are a few of my favourite verses...
Our God, heaven cannot hold him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ.
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When he comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty
Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air -
But only his mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the beloved
With a kiss.
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air -
But only his mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped 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.
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.
The line that stood out over and over again for me was "yet what I can, I give him- give my heart." Do I give my heart to God under all circumstances that I find myself in? Or do I only pretend? Or do I only give my heart when things are going wrong and I want God to change the direction of the wind? In the new year I hope to look at this more... to give my heart in all I do.
On 11th December, R&A had their small group over for a meal, which they invited me to. It was great, we had jacket potatoes, salads, meats... and mulled wine. (See if you can pick up the Christmas food traditions in England :))
The next day, my small group met for a Christmas dessert night. There was Chocolate fridge cake, mince pies, strawberries and cream... it was delicious. After our desserts, we read Ephesians 1:1-14 and talked about what it means to be "in Christ". I pray that while I experience many blessings during my time in England, I will be able to share my blessings and love with many people that I encounter.
The staff Christmas party was loads of fun! There were finger foods, drinks, karoke, dancing and lots of merriment! This picture is of Natalie and I dressed in our best dresses before the night began.
On 16th December, Revelation church (the church my host family goes to) had their Christmas Children's program. My little brother, Ben was holding my hand and because he's so comfortable in the church he pulled me behind him and showed me to his friends. Then during the program, he went up to the front with the rest of the children to sing and dance. It was so adorable! After the program, there were mince pies and mulled wine... see what I mean - a Christmas tradition here.
A lot of Christmas at school happened during the last week. On Tuesday I went to a friends' house for homemade mince pies, mulled wine, and snacks. Then on Thursday night was the Christmas program. The year 11s put on a Pantomime, there was lots of singing, and readings... even the Christmas story from Luke was read (something that probably wouldn't happen in Canada, unfortunately.) The staff choir -which I was apart of- sang "Gaudete", a beautiful Latin song about Christ's birth, which I think we presented quite well for not being professionals. Then on Friday, the students we allowed to dress in non uniform and we had a talent show. This is why I teach... to see my students shine. My school is full of so much talent! I was overwhelmed by the singing, dancing and overall talent. After the talent show, I had a Christmas party with my tutor group... we did our secret santa gifts, we played games (I introduced some of them to dutch blitz), and had snacks. Then the kids went home early so the staff could say some goodbyes and open our secret santa gifts. It was great to have most of the staff in one room to celebrate our successes this past term! I am now 1/3 of the way finished my first year teaching! Wowee!!
Christmas Break!!!
My host family had our Christmas on Friday evening. I got a huge heating bottle, some chocolates and a notepad! I gave Joe a Charlie Bear talking bear and Ben a Winnie the Pooh and a Car's sticker set. The Charlie Bear was a success... unfortunately, Ben wanted it too. Ah well. After the boys went to bed, R & A and I had Fish 'n chips while watching "The Pursuit of Happiness".
Greg, Natalie and I were off to Cornwall on the 22nd. The 4 hour journey boasted lots of rain and flooding, but we made it to St. Dominick safe and sound. We went to evening mass at Greg's parents church then came back to a delicious Nigella Lawson stew and "Strictly Come Dancing". The next morning we went to Plymouth to finish our Christmas shopping and Natalie and I went outdoor ice skating. That absolutely made my day... a little bit of home.
Then we went to a live nativity that Natalie's parent's church put on. It was brilliant how they did it. There was an adult for each main part and then as children came in, they were given an outfit to participate. There was also a narrator and a choir that lead the group in singing. There was a huge turn out, yet there was enough minced pies and mulled apple juice for everyone! To me... that was the true meaning of Christmas... Christ's birth celebrated by so many people!
On Christmas Eve, we had a relaxed day wrapping presents, skyping family and friends, and going to a service at the Catholic church. It was a great place for me to contemplate and reflect about just how significant Christmas is... I mean, God sent his only son so that we may experience his love and grace in our lives... that's so incredible!
When we returned from the service, we had a lamp roast... which was absolutely delicious! Then Greg and Natalie took me to the local pub for a drink and my first game of darts. After staying up until 2am... I was able to skype mom, Michael and others at an Annual Christmas Eve Party... a great end to my Christmas Eve!
Christmas morning...
We woke up quite late, had breakfast and opened presents. It was my duty to be "Santa" and to hand out the gifts. I was shocked by how many gifts were for me... a teacher friend sent her gift for me with Natalie with specific directions for me to open it on Christmas morning. She gave me "The Velveteen Rabbit" and a Keep Calm and Carry on Sniff... a pack of tissues. Greg and Natalie gave me a cross necklace - for those who know me - that's again a super meaningful gift. Then we had a 4 course Christmas meal. For starters we had a prawn and smoked salmon salad with bread and pate. For main, we had Turkey, potatoes, bread sauce, carrots, and pigs in a blanket. Then we had Christmas pudding with Brandy butter... lush! After sitting for nearly 2 hours we had our final course of a cheese, cracker and grape plate. The cheese here is absolutely gorgeous! To work off some of the calories we had, we went to the park behind their house and played. Then Greg's brother and his wife came to open our stockings and play games. I learned a new game... Articulate... loved it!
Christmas # 2 in Liskeard...
So we packed up the car and headed to Liskeard for Christmas with Natalie's family. We opened our Christmas crackers, ate a lush meal with homemade Yorkshire Puddings, opened presents, played games and sang songs.
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| Ellie and Sal (niece and nephew) |
Time to explore Cornwall.
This was a day of many firsts... My first trip to a sandy seaside in England, my first Cornish Pasty, my first Pantomime, my first trip on a car ferry from Devon to Plymouth, and my first few minutes of a James bond film.
First stop... Looe - a historic fishing village. Loved it! Here are a few of my favourite pictures...
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| I'm very proud of this picture. |
Then to "Dick Whittington" a Pantomime in Plymouth! For those of you who do not know... a Pantomime is an interactive production meant for children but has humour appropriate for all ages. It was so ubber exciting! I got right into joining in singing and shouting. "Oh yes I did!"
The next day was again epic! We were world travelers all in one day... we went to the Mediterranean, South Africa, California, and the rain forest in South America. It was quite the adventure... and the best part is... there was no uncomfortable traveling... and it we saw it all under one roof... the Eden Project... google it! It was so remarkable! Here are just a few pictures which really do not do it justice...
My final day in Cornwall (well at least for this trip)... Plymouth Hoe and Barbican.
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| Mayflower memorial |
Thank you Greg, Natalie and families for such a great Christmas! Although I was thousands of miles away from my biological family, I felt so blessed by all of the people I met! I have done so much this past year because of the support and love I feel from family and friends! Thank you all for being significant in my life! Also, congratulations for reading to the end of my Christmas blog!
Love and prayers for this new year! May it be filled with many blessings and may it cause you to give thanks always!
Peace,
Kristen
