You've seen the tree. You've seen the wreath.
Here are a few other reminders that Christmas has arrived at Valley Lodge.
Welcome Santa! ... with the Bible open to:
Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and
she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and
placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for
them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When
the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to
one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has
happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Fynbos has replaced poinsettias as the flower of Christmas.
I bought this ebony creche and bark village scene last year at the Rosebank Rooftop Market. It is in storage back in the US with all the other creches in my collection. Ooops!
I tried to find another unique creche for this year. The closest I got was this painted ostrich shell ornament with a scene of Bethlehem on one side ...
... and an angel on the other. I have convinced my ostrich lady to paint a Nativity scene on an ostrich egg for next year, complete with a Madonna and child!
Beach treasure lit up for Christmas
Shweshwe Christmas light garland in the dining room.
Close-up of shweshwe flowers.
This tabletop baobab tree is our Advent tree.
Festooned with butterfly white lights and natural ornaments made from seed pods and tiny calabash bells. Little plastic African animals and crystal beads.
One candle lit for the First Sunday of Advent.
"Candle, candle burning bright.
Shining in the African night
Candle, candle burning bright
Fill our hearts with Christmas light"
Two candles for the Second Sunday of Advent.
Three for the Third Sunday of Advent.
Nelson Mandela was buried today in Qunu. Rest in Peace Madiba.
Four candles lit for the Fourth and final Sunday of Advent!
I continued a little of my "natural material decorating" with these bay boughs. We have bay leaf growing all over Valley Lodge.
I despise these light fixtures so I "Christmas-ed" them up with boughs of bay leaf. At home I would have used bough of holly and juniper, but you know, we are in Africa.
These lights are everywhere in the living room, dining room and foyer. Now they are a decorating asset.
Fa-la-la-la-la
la-la la-la
Presents ready to open on Christmas morning in our lodge on safari!
 |
| impala and kudu horns |
And now for some potty humor.
Literally!
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