Christmas memories and Happy New Year!

At the monastery, we get the most out of Advent until the last day. Most of our Christmas preparations take place on December 23, or more likely, on December 24. After our midday dinner on Christmas Eve, all those guests who want to help get into action and deck the halls.

From top left, clockwise, Jonathan Mudge, from Austin, TX, helps Br. Peter and Br. John decorating Pilgrim Hall;
me and Br. Bob decorating the top of our very tall tree; After and Before decoration; many different styles of ornaments are featured; Jonathan (Br. Bede's nephew) finishing off the back of the tree.

This year, the fourth Sunday of Advent also was Christmas Eve. So we lit up the fourth candle on the Advent wreath at Vespers of Saturday and put the wreath away on Sunday afternoon to make the place for the greening of the church. Brothers Bob and Peter gave Christmas reflections to our guests on the afternoon of Christmas Eve and on the morning of Christmas Day.

From top, closckwise, Br. Bob comes to sit down in choir at first Vespers of Advent Four;
Br. Peter teaches about Christmas and icons; Br. Bob teaches about the meaning of Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, we had first Vespers of Christmas after supper at 7 p.m. A little schola composed of Bros. Bernard, Bob, John, Josép and Peter offered a little concert before Vespers (and again before mass on Christmas Day). After these late Vespers, we gathered in Pilgrim Hall for some refreshments and a spirited session of carol singing. Compline was dispensed and greater silence came a little later than usual, at 9 p.m.

Caroling in Pilgrim Hall. From top left, clockwise, Associate Pat Moore, Br. Bob, Associate Mary Allan and Sr. Anitra, SSJD; Newcomers Jennifer Crane, Patrick Gillespie, from Kerhonkson and Geoffrey Thomas of Brooklyn, NY;
Monks and guests enjoying the merriment and the refreshments.

On Christmas morning, we woke up to a winter wonderland as freshly fallen snow decorated every tree. Christmas mass took place at our usual time (9 a.m.) and left time to all to relax in the holiness and beauty of the day.

From top, clockwise, snow on the crab apple trees behind the l,ittle Cloister;
Christmas lights and the valley as seen from my cell;
Monks in their festive gear enjoying each other's company in our West Atrium in the enclosure.

We picked up Br. Rafael from his Highland nursing home for the day and he thoroughly enjoyed the worship, companionship and feasting.

From top, clockwise, Guests Phyllis, Jennifer and Associate Geoffrey Collis enjoying the Christmas feast:
Br. Robert Hagler helping Br. Rafael take in the beauty of the snow covered valley.

Many guests and visitors are enjoying the Christmastide quiet at the monastery; and not a few clergy peoplee. It is a time of deep relaxing and rest.

Guests and visitors. From top, clockwise, Br. John with the Rev. Lynne Sharpe, of Hammondsport, NY and the Rev. Stacey Grossmann, of Novato, CA; The Rev. Kate Kelderman, chaplain at Kent School in Kent, CT and her husband Theo (Kent was founded by the Order of the Holy Cross in 1906; Kate and Theo under the German crucifix in the Visitors Court of our church.

We wish you a peaceful, healthy, loving and serene New Year. Happy New Year!