Molly and Advent

   There's a tiny little "farm" tucked in between new houses at the corner of a subdivision in our town. The kids always want me to take this route out onto the main road.  My suburban kids love to see the sheep, duck, and goat who live in this five hundred square foot farm. 

Last week we noticed a new resident.

I had to stop and take her picture.

    

She certainly loved having her picture taken.  She gave me several nice poses.

   

 I think she's quite photogenic.  Just look at those big brown eyes and eyelashes!

 

 She really did love having her picture taken.  Walked right over for a closeup.

 

And then I noticed the stable.  And I knew I had to come back at night to see this sweetest manger scene.

        I met the owner of this beautiful, humble and so very special farm.  He was just coming out to feed the animals.

 

He told me her name was Molly.  She let me pet her for awhile. He told me he had planned to actually put a nativity scene inside the manger, but he didn't get to it this year.  I told him I liked it just the way it was. He said, "so you really like my Christmas manger?"  I told him I LOVED it.  He smiled. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment; we got each other. 

This December I've been learning what Advent really means. 

 With my Mom's health rapidly declining the past few months; I cleared my calendar of all things superficial this December. Just in case.  She's making it through, and now, in the meantime, there's been time. In a season I've never found time in before.  Before this year, Advent meant lighting three pink and one purple candle every December Sunday in church.  Not much more than a countdown until the big day. But now this season of waiting has taken on new meaning for me.  None of this intentional on my part, mind you.  But I think when I cleared my calendar I sorta cleared a space in my heart too, for lack of a better way of putting it.  It feels like a space where something new can be born out of love.  What, I don't know yet.  But this feeling has persisted all December.  It is hopefulness, expectation, wondering, waiting.  I don't know for sure what any of it really means, right now.  But I want to keep listening to Advent.

I know what I have learned for certain this month, and that is in every hardship, there are also blessings.  It's sometimes just a matter of stopping my car, and taking a few minutes to see what a good shephard has done- in a tiny town, on a tiny farm, with a string of lights and a star.

                            

 I wish a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to all who celebrate!!  

Peace and love to you all.

xoxox Kelly

 

 

Comments

[traci]

oh, she's so cute. and you're right - very photogenic. wouldn't she be fun to have. your kids are going to want to stop all the time now. i know mine would.

[Diane]

What a great story! My Mom, she's 81 made a comment to me about Christmas and all its meaning...I hope to have some of it on my blog later today or tomorrow...but I have to give it more thought,. but "your story" sure says alot...I wish more people would read it and understand...thanks for sharing!

[mosaicqueen]

Absolutely! :-)
Merry ~ Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hugs!

Michelle

[Deb]

Kelly
Thank you for this beautiful Christmas Eve post. Your little town sounds wonderful! Molly & the Manger all lit up at night and the dear soul who put the effort into his little "farm"...perfect!
Wishing you and your family a Very Merry Christmas!
Love
Deb

[Maria]

Kelli,
What a special post! Love the story about the manger and all those lovely photos of the animals!
Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Maria