O Holy Night

It's still the season right! I should've really posted this on Christmas Eve. It's so beautiful.

The Christmas Story

This is cuteness maximised!

In Finland we celebrate Christmas most on Christmas Eve. Or that is the main day, we do celebrate it for a whole three days (24th, 25th, 26th) - but the Eve is when we have our big dinner, open presents, Santa Claus visits, most go to Church - you can also go on Christmas morning at 7am, which is even more traditional, and which is what we in my family do. It's followed by traditional breakfast at my aunt's with all those who went to Church together, or who just play along in the morning. I used to do the Watch Night service, but it has changed to this in the last two years.. Some years before this, I did both!

Nobody works here on the 24th, unless you are in the service sector (or church staff :)). All shops (except those with special license) close at 12 noon on Christmas Eve. So that's when Christmas officially starts here! And they don't open until the 27th.

This year (And most years) it's winter wonderland. It was -20C yesterday..Just now it is only -12C!

Happy Christmas!

Here's a classic :)

Silence.

Today I went here with a group of my students (and with):

Picture from

It looked pretty much like that. Oh how we enjoyed and loved the silence there. Nearly in the middle of nowhere..At least it sounded like there was nothing close. There's nothing more refreshing than a walk in the forest on a winter day like this. Being in the nature.

It got me thinking. I realised how much noise we have in our lives. How hard it is to hear the important still whispers, when our lives are crowded with of all sorts noise. I long for more Silence.

It balances us and connects with our inmost being.

I'd recommend having a walk in the forest any day to re-balance you. Only the sounds of nature there..Speaking without words.

Beautiful Silence.

I Won!!!!

Homemade Goats Milk Soap in a Giveaway Contest!!! I am soooo happy!! I don't remember ever winning any of these type of draws/competitions. Yey!!! I look forward to testing them!! Stay tuned, will let you know how they are!

And if you like, you can try them out yourselves for a very affordable price at Rhen's shop, here: Handcrafted Goat Milk Soap - shop

Ahh, I am so happy. :)

Pictures from Rhen's site

Onnea Suomi!

Happy Birthday Finland! Happy Independence Day!

From Nakedpastor

Good News a little early! But couldn't resist posting.

Link

PS.2

The Script: For the First Time

Guess it's a pretty hard time in Ireland..

This morning when I arrived at work I had BandAid and "Do they know it's Christmas" in my head.. But I shall leave posting that closer to the Holiday!

Winter

Ahh, what a nice start to a Monday. A colleague had bought me a cake like this (from a bake sale yesterday) - what a nice surprise and start for the week!! It's kind of a bundt cake (kuivakakku) a Finnish thing (or maybe Scandinavian..oh no, I checked it's German origin), I think this one is like Marmorkuche (marble cake) or something like that in German.

(Forgive me if I am wrong, I haven't studied a day of German. I have, however, "taught" German..Ok, that was in my substituting daze. Wonder if the students learned anything? ;D)

Yesterday was also lovely. It is like winter wonderland here already. A wee bit on the cold side, -15C (and more..) Brrrrr. But apparentily so it is in the UK! I'm meant to fly in tomorrow, but I think my airport is closed!

Here's a few news clips for you (if, like me, you are reading this from outside the UK.)

More gritted streets needed say Newcastle residents

Snow causes travel disruption in Scotland and North east England

'Beautiful but bitterly cold'

It was so beautiful yesterday when I drove to my godson's 8th birthday party. Such a familiar road from youth, therefore nostalgic.. I didn't have my camera with me, and I couldn't have even stopped to take a photo, as I was driving! But it was a bit like this:

photo from here

Eerie and beautiful, isn't it?

Have a good week!

PS. I'm so glad my least favourite month of the year is OVER tomorrow!!! Yey!

Glorius ruins

But think for a moment about the millions of tourists who visit ancient sites like the Parthenon, the Colosseum, and the Pyramids.

Though ravaged by time, the elements, and vandals through the ages, mere shadows of their former glory, these ruins still awe and inspire. Though fallen, their glory cannot be fully extinguished. There is something at once sad and grand about them. And such we are. Abused, neglected, vandalized, fallen-we are still fearful and wonderful. We are, as one theologian put it, "glorious ruins."


But unlike those grand monuments, we who are Christ's have been redeemed and are being renewed as Paul said, "day by day," restored in the love of God.

From: The Sacred Romance

Images from Petra, where I'd love to go (one day). Happy Recent Birthday to my friend by that name! :) And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sade and Ella today! Hope you are having a wonderful day :)