Merry Christmas from London!

Christmas in London has been sweet! A friend brought me a plate of sugar cookies and they were delicious! In addition to all the other Christmas treats, visual and edible, I saw a brilliant version of A Christmas Carol at the Rose Theatre here in Kingston. Most of the cast were youth, 40 youth and 5 adults, and they were incredible. There were two little girls that couldn't have been older than 8 or 10 had big roles and they nailed it! Honestly, the entire cast was incredible. The producers added their own twist to the story and I loved it. Scrooge was a woman who was the headmaster or owner of a ragged school (school for poor children). most of the story elements were present but the story is told through the eyes of the children and how they use the three ghosts to first teach Scrooge a lesson but then how things turn to show the hearts of the children and them wanting to show love and mercy to a person (Scrooge) whom they realize was never taught to love others or herself. It was magical, funny, inspiring, surprising, and also a musical. Such talented performers! It was heartwarming and truly brilliant! The music and their voices were just brilliant! I wish you all could have seen it.
I could only take pictures before it started so, some of the set is shown here along with the playbill. Different things would be projected on the large circle, a clock, Marley, memories and such.

Christmas typically brings a mix of emotions with it and each year is different depending on life and circumstances . This year I mixed in a move to England which means there is a really big pond between me and my family. No huge Christmas feast, no hugs from my nieces & nephews (at least those that will still give a hug) family bantering and the craziness that always comes with a house filled to the brim with people. No crisp snowy days and streets lined with houses decked out in lights.

Christmas this year is quieter than usual (as a single person, quiet is normal) but this year it is a different kind of quiet. It has been a time of greater reflection and recognizing that the most important part of Christmas is love. Christ came because God loves us and sent us His Son. Christ loves us so much that He came to earth to show us the way back to Him. He loves us so deeply that He gave His life for us. As I have thought about Christmas this year it became more apparent that the best gift I can continually give to my family, my friends, neighbors and strangers, is love. Love doesn't have a price tag. Love can be given without any wrapping or fanfare. It can be spontaneous, heartfelt, genuine, and lasting.
The Grinch's words say it well:

It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes, or bags!"

He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.

Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!

Love can be given and received in many ways. Love is also forgiveness, acceptance, comfort, listening, a hug, time, a smile, sacrifice, understanding and service.  Since love is something we can give year round Christmas can also be celebrated year round. With or without the décor, music and movies.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I love you!

​PICTURES BELOW: Bits of Christmas I saw on my walk home from church today.
​Except for the I Love Kingston - just had to throw that one in too.