This week as is our custom we waited until December 23 to shift from the Advent to the Christmas mood. We greened the church and decorated the Christmas tree in preparation for the birth of Jesus.
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| Greening the church (although there is a lot of red there if you ask me). From top, clockwise: the empty crib is ready; the swarm of poinsetia in their staging area, in the belltower; getting the lighting righ on an icon of mother and child; Mother and child enjoying the greens; a John Walsted icon that recently moved here from our monastery in Santa Barbara; detail of this Kontakion of the Nativity icon; our Sacristan, Br. Robert Leo lighting the candles near the tabernacle before mass; and finally, He has arrived! Baby Jesus in the creche. |
This year again, our landscaper, Anthony Marguglio gifted us with a tree large enough to decorate Pilgim Hall. Thank you Anthony for all the work you and your team do on our grounds year-round (and for the recent snow-plowing).
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| Decorating the tree in several steps. From top left clockwise: daring Br. Josép scaling the heights to put the lights on the tree; Br. John helps stabilize the ladder during this delicate operation; Br. Bob putting ornaments on the tree; Brs. Bob and John decorating; Br. Josép still having a summit experience; Br. John selecting the right spot for his ornament; Br. Josép considering his next move. |
The festivities this year were amongst ourselves and we couldn't help missing our guests. But we had a blessed, pleasant and even jolly Christmas nonetheless.
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| Christmas day festivities. From top left, clockwise: an impish elf getting ready for some mischief; Santa and his helper (Brs. Josép and Bernard); a festive cooked and talking breakfast in the refectory; Brs. John, Bob, Aidan and Josép made a lovely scola that serenaded us twice (first Vespers of Christmas and Christmas Mass). |
We hope you enjoy some relaxed time this Christmastide.
Continue to be safe, wear a mask, save lives. We have a long way to go before we can recycle the masks... Let's pace ourselves.
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