There are just a few of the holiday folk who have been hanging around the house the last few weeks. (There are several snowmen, too, but they didn’t make it into the frame.)
The St. Nicholas on the left is actually a hand-me-down from my grandparents, who left me so many beautiful and cherished ornaments for the tree. To be perfectly honest, I would call this St. Nick neither “beautiful” nor “cherished.”  I actually think he looks kind of freaky. But my cousin dared me to put him up on my mantel this year … so here he stands. (Kristin, this post is for you!). And the more I look at him, the more I am reminded of the little puppets in the old Mr. Rogers’ shows … you know, when the trolley goes off to its magic land, where King Friday lives? That’s a fairly positive association, actually. Maybe I should give Scary St. Nick a bit more credit.
At any rate, these little people are about to see some pretty exciting holiday goings-on. My folks come over this afternoon, for the children’s Mass and a dinner of tortellini soup. They’ll spend the night at our house, so they can be here for the joys of Christmas morning, with a four-year-old who is old enough to fully grasp the concept of Santa and who can hardly wait to see what delights the Jolly Old Elf will leave under the tree.
I have to admit, I’m pretty excited myself.
Merry Christmas Eve to you!
