As the Advent Candles burn down the aroma of Greek coffee filters up and fills the air in this Sweden House kitchen. A double batch of lefse and two or three batches of Cynthia’s delicious peanut brittle give us treats to enjoy as well as to share. The only thing missing are a couple of Swedish granddaughters!

It is a delight this Christmas for Cynthia and I to work in the kitchen or to serve guests in the dining room or to just sit by the fire and enjoy the warmth and comfort of our home. It has been work work work for the past year and a half (with still more to go) but we are at the point where we can truly enjoy living in our remodeled and repurposed home here on 12th Ave. It feels like home to us now and it feels good.

But we are off to Lincoln this afternoon and will have to leave the warmth of the fire for a quick trip up and over the pass and into the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The Christmas Eve service is at 5 pm at the Methodist Church so I will be there to lead worship and share the Christmas message. Upon returning to Helena tonight we will head down the alley and across the street to celebrate Christmas Eve at Steffen and Julia’s. Tomorrow we will head to Chico and be joined by Steffen’s family for an extended Christmas celebration and some leisure time to just sit and soak in the Chico Hot Springs.

I guess we will be celebrating Christmas for more than the usual 12 days as I got a jump on things this year when Cynthia came in the house the other day and invited be to open an early Christmas present.

By the shape of the package I was convinced that I already knew what would be revealed as the ribbon was pulled and the paper was torn apart.

På juldagsmorgonen, (Christmas Day), an 1894 watercolor by Carl Larsen, is just perhaps my favorite of all of his paintings. I was present when we purchased the print last spring at the Carl and Karin Larsen museum in Sunborn, Sweden. But Cynthia surprised me by having the print framed at the Ghost Art Gallery on the walking mall. She chose a beautiful birch frame with walnut insets in the corners. It sets the painting off wonderfully and we have just the right place to hang it in the living room of the Sweden House.

Cynthia and I are most thankful and grateful for our family and friends, our good health and meaningful work, and the opportunity to once again celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior and the grace, peace and blessing of the Christmas Gospel. May you and your family be blessed and comforted this Christmas as we send our greetings and wish the best for you and yours.

With love and our Christmas Greetings, Loren and Cynthia