On the Feast of Stephen...

....we celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday. Our tradition is to meet at a local pizza place and have dinner together with my in-laws and sister and brother-in-law and their family, and then we all travel to the LaSalette Shrine to see their "Festival of Lights". The shrine is located across from a lake and the property has a large hill behind it. The entire hill is covered with Christmas lights, with a large nativity, and the wise men with their servants and camels making their way across the snowy landscape to see the newborn king. It is so beautiful. There is also a small chapel where the children can decorate birthday cards for Jesus, the main church, a small cafeteria, and the gift shop where I pick up my breviary guide for each year, and refrain from buying more books, and the children whine for yet another statue.
This year we got there early enough to see them turn the lights on; which was very exciting. My nephew and I wanted to cheer when they went on.
We arrived so early in fact, that we got there before baby Jesus! Apparently, they take the small statue from the manger each night and replace him the next day. My (smart aleck) college daughter complained that this empty manger was disturbing her understanding of theology... "An empty tomb, yes...but, an empty manger!! Everything I know has crumbled...very disturbing." She's so funny... she certainly brings a "spark" to our family gatherings:)
So, we ate our pizza, gazed at the Christmas lights, made a visit to Jesus in the church, hit the gift shop, drank hot cocoa, sang "Happy Birthday" to my mother-in-law and re-established our tradition for another year.

People with birthdays on or around Christmas may sometimes feel shortchanged. Truly, I am guilty of wrapping her birthday gifts in Christmas paper almost every year (sorry, Mom). But, having a birthday to celebrate the day after Christmas sort of "extends" our enjoyment of the season and keeps us in a celebratory mood a bit longer. I think it's pretty cool that I share my birthday with my cousin (she is 3 hours older, btw), but to (almost) share your birthday with Jesus?! That is very cool, indeed. Happy birthday, Jesus and happy birthday, Mom!That is my mother-in-law to the right with all her grandchildren

Sweet kidsSmart aleck college girl
Teen son disguised as a turtle...or eskimopretending she's holding baby Jesus...note the arms
Brother and sister praying before statue of Our Lady of LasaletteMom, I don't want my picture taken!
What is growing out of Sammy's head? It doesn't quite look like a halo...Cousins!