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Tag: Christmas

  • Christmastime

    Christmastime

    Daphney about to open presents on Christmas Eve
    Leopard print coat from Grandma
    Daphney with Pluto
    Daphney unwrapping present gift box
    Unicorn from Laoma
    Yan and Danny, Daphney and Jayden, dressed as elves on Christmas morning by the tree
    Daphney telling Alice, the inside of the blue mug says, I love Auntie
    Slippers for Alice
    Jayden’s hat, from Daphney
    Daphney and Yan, with Danny’s gift, by the Christmas tree
    Daphney reading book from Pastor Shawna
    Daphney playing with the train set, assembled on the living room table
  • Of the Father’s Love Begotten

    Of the Father’s Love Begotten

    One of my favorite Christmas hymns, Of the Father’s Love Begotten is based on the medieval plainsong melody Divinum Mysterium, which first appeared in print in 1582 as part of a song collection known as Piae Cantiones. Coupled with the Latin poem Corde natus by Aurelius Prudentius, it takes on the form of this Christmas carol.

    Lyrics and J. M. Neale’s translation:

    Corde natus ex parentis
    Ante mundi exordium
    A et O cognominatus,
    ipse fons et clausula
    Omnium quæ sunt, fuerunt,
    quæque post futura sunt.
    Sæculorum sæculis.    		 Of the Father’s love begotten,
    Ere the worlds began to be,
    He is Alpha and Omega,
    He the source, the ending He,
    Of the things that are, that have been,
    And that future years shall see,
    Evermore and evermore!
    Psallat altitudo caeli,
    psallite omnes angeli,
    Quidquid est virtutis usquam
    psallat in laudem Dei,
    Nulla linguarum silescat,
    vox et omnis consonet.
    Sæculorum sæculis.    		 O ye heights of heaven adore Him;
    Angel hosts, His praises sing;
    Powers, dominions, bow before Him,
    And extol our God and King;
    Let no tongue on earth be silent,
    Every voice in concert ring,
    Evermore and evermore!
    Tibi, Christe, sit cum Patre
    hagioque Pneumate
    Hymnus, decus, laus perennis,
    gratiarum actio,
    Honor, virtus, victoria,
    regnum aeternaliter.
    Sæculorum sæculis.    		 Christ, to Thee with God the Father
    And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
    Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
    And unwearied praises be.
    Honor, glory, and dominion,
    And eternal victory,
    Evermore and evermore!
  • Christmas Events

    Christmas Events

    Several events this weekend helped usher in the holiday season.

    Last night, Roger and Donna Hadley opened their beautiful home for a Christmas meal, and afterwards, all of us were treated to a dramatic interpretation of It’s a Wonderful Life performed at the Lifehouse Theater as directed by Wayne Scott. The message blessed each of us.

    Today, the Medical Center operating room potluck took place at Jolene’s home. The warm afternoon sun made sitting in the newly landscaped backyard very pleasant. With the sushi chef catered by Wayne Cheng, we had plenty of food.

    The East Campus peri-operative staff held a Christmas party at the Arrowhead Springs Resort. After dinner, the awards ceremony was meaningful, but the best part were the credits, where they impersonated so many of the doctors. Then, we had a small music program. The angklung and voice choir involved so many people, and it was definitely the highlight. Also, Wayne Shepperd came as a special guest to sing O Holy Night and Go, Tell It on the Mountain. To close the evening, Austin Colohan read an inspirational story.

  • The Mission Inn

    The Mission Inn

    We went as a family to enjoy the lights and decorations and for a post-Christmas dinner at The Mission Inn.

  • Dad’s Birthday and Trip

    Dad’s Birthday and Trip

    For Dad’s birthday, we went out for dinner on the actual date. Then, we planned an extended vacation, revisiting some of the familiar places that we had toured when we were much younger. It was a big combined celebration, of birthday, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.

  • Epic Christmas Trip

    Epic Christmas Trip

    We had an epic Christmas vacation!

    On Sunday, Christmas morning, we drove up to Monterey. The drive was nice, and the scenery was beautiful, especially around the Pebble Beach area. We had Chinese food for dinner.

    The next morning, I went out for a run—just after a night of rain. The air was refreshing. After breakfast, we went to Cannery Row, and I toured the aquarium. The most spectacular part was the jellyfish exhibit. After lunch, we went to San Francisco, where Mom and Alice did a lot of shopping. I spent most of my time in Borders Books on Union Square.

    On Tuesday morning, we picked up Andy from the Oakland airport and went up to Smith River. We all stopped at the Bayshore Mall in Eureka until dark. The drive up further north was through pounding rain and howling wind.

    Anyhow, staying at Auntie Julia’s house was relaxing as usual. We spent Wednesday down by Auntie Nipa’s house and Crescent City. Thursday was spent visiting the Oregon coast. We also bought some bamboo from bamboodirect.com.

    We left Friday morning, and the travel back was an ordeal. Having been trapped by the downed trees and mudslides, we finally took the 101 to the 36 to cross over to Red Bluff. The 36 was a tortuous winding mountain road that lasted four hours, most of which was in the dark. Then, we went down to Pacific Union College via the back roads, one of which was through Butts Canyon. Driving was very difficult. I was relieved to get to Auntie Plerm’s house. The Samples did a really nice job with the remodel.

    The storm worsened that night. Electricity was knocked out, and roads out of the Napa Valley were all closed. We tried the 29, Silverado Trail, and finally decided to go down Howell Mountain into Pope Valley and get through Winters after going around Lake Berryessa. We made it to the 505, then the 80, then the 5. There were many trucks on the median and cars sliding everywhere. Thankfully, we made it home through that harrowing driving experience.