Merry Christmas!

Every Christmas, I used to set up the nativity scene, arranging the characters perfectly. The wise men were arriving on their camels. The people and animals - along with the baby Jesus - were placed just so. As soon as I turned my back, a cat joined the scene. The figures were knocked over and spread from here to there, just so our little darling could be part of the action. It didn't matter which cat over the years; they all did it. Charlie doesn't get a Christmas tree. He's such a little devil, it would be tipped over in no time.

Christmas Eve, a day of anticipation, last-minute preparations, or both. It's almost as magical as Christmas Day. When I was growing up, we trimmed our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. My father would wire the tree to hooks on the baseboard so that it wouldn't tip over (say, if a Charlie cat decided to climb it), and we would drag out the ornaments - antique and new - to turn it from a beautiful tree into a splendid one. With the Nativity scene, cat, and all the packages under the tree, it was the focus of our living room until New Year's Day. I have hung my wreath on the door in memory of our family tradition.

I had planned to feature new makeup over the last week, but we haven't seen the sun once. It is warm today, 70+ degrees, and destined to set a new record. However, it's cloudy and foggy. I have finished all preparations except for packaging gifts. I will start delivering them later today. Tomorrow, I will prepare the prime rib dinner requested by my mother.

I think my greatest wish this year is for "peace on Earth and goodwill toward all people and animals." Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if 2016 could go by without wars, murders, terrorism, cruelty, and starvation?

I wish you a wonderful Christmas or the holiday you are celebrating this year. I hope this season is kind to you and your loved ones!

Photos courtesy of merrychristmaswisheschristmaseve.com and nappavalleyregister.com