Merry Christmas 2010
from the Texas Christmas Armadillo

I'm not a particularly big churchgoer, even for special events like today.

But amid all the expectations and expenses, I like to return to the reason for today's celebrations, the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus.

I do have a nativity scene. And this year, purely by accident, it reflects a bit of Texas.

A change in our holiday plans meant we (and by we, I mean me) didn't go as Christmas decorating crazy as in past years.

I left the items that usually fill our foyer console during December boxed and instead put our Raku pottery nativity there. I didn't even have to do any rearranging. Mary, Joseph, the Christ child and the rest of the crew fit quite nicely between the knickknacks that live on the table year round.

Only after I walked past it a few times did I realize there was a new animal in the barn, the Texican folk art Christmas Armadillo. He's at left in the photo below. And, as the hubby pointed out, he's Texas-sized compared to the rest of the group.

Over on the far right is the star that, while it could represent the beacon followed by the Three Kings, really is an emblem of the Lone Star State.

Naturally, our Christmas tableau got me thinking about that "Friends" episode, The One with the Holiday Armadillo. Both that particular television show and our Texas tweaking of the Christmas story demonstrate how personal this holiday is and that's how it should be.

I hope you're spending this Christmas in whatever way fills your day with joy, the spirit of sharing and peace.

And in closing, let me go back to where this post began, the story of the birth of Christ (and the role taxation played in it) as told in the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 2, verses 1-7 below; King James Version):

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with Child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a wonderful day!

Related posts:

• Christmas 2009 with Austin's wild holiday trees
• Boxing Day, and tax deduction, thoughts (2009)
• Happy Christmas Eve! (2009)
• Merry Christmas 2008
• The Bible and taxes, then and now (2007)
• Merry Christmas 2006
• The gift of the tax MAGI (2006)
• Celebrating Christmas ghosts
• Financial advice from holiday 'experts'

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