THE SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

        Today is the last Sunday before Christmas, and the official intermission between holiday shopping madness and holiday celebration madness.  It's a great day to remember that while our senses are overloaded with the cinnamon, music, laughter, cookies, twinkly lights, and smooshy sweaters, out greatest sense should be gratitude for Christ's coming to earth to "become, Himself, an object for the senses," as Athanasius said in On the Incarnation.  It's also a beautiful day to rest and enjoy the calm before the tape and turkey and tinsel storm!  How did you spend it?