Celebrating Epiphany and other late-Christmas fun (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

It was Epiphany Sunday when we received the referral to adopt our older son, so this time of year always makes me smile. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh are wonderful gifts, but that phone call brought the best news we had ever received.

I love thinking of the magi following a star, not entirely sure what they would find, but trusting and letting themselves be guided by knowledge and faith. Our adoption journey was so much like that, knowing that we were on the right path and believing that God would bring us safely there—and safely home.

What a journey it has been. And the story continues to unfold.

~2~

Speaking of stars, our younger son was named Student of the Month at his school in December. I don’t have any idea what that means, how you earn it, or how many Students of the Month are selected. Maybe everyone was Student of the Month in December. Maybe they give it to the child whose mother does the worst job checking grades or completing field trip forms. But I suspect it’s entirely because of him.

Naturally, I don’t care how or why he won. I’m happy to celebrate anything and everything. And I am incredibly proud of this young man.

~3~

I try to fill our children in on world happenings before they head off to school. I had told them that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had passed away—and I offered Fanta for breakfast that day since that was one of the former pope’s favorite drinks.

But when our seventh grader came home after the first day back from break, he said, “Mom, Pelé died, and you didn’t say anything!”

“Wait,” I said. “You know who Pelé is? Was he in a Simpsons episode?”

Apparently, everyone knows who Pelé is, even the 13-year-olds. Maybe I need to step up my Mom’s News Alerts game.

~4~

For once in my life, I am excited for the stores to rush their way through the holidays and get ready for Easter as soon as possible. We are about to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Rabbit, and I want all the bunnies!

The Year of the Rabbit begins on Jan. 22, which is right around the corner. Usually, we have a little more time to put Christmas to bed and start our Chinese New Year festivities. This year, though, we might not have much time in between.

I’m not complaining, though. Chinese New Year is just so much fun. And I love the idea of celebrating the rabbit. My Easter bunny tablecloth is all ready to go.

~5~

Our outdoor Christmas lights are down, but our tree is still up. I love turning the Christmas lights on every day. We were late to get it up this year, and I’m not ready to close the book on Christmas.

I had a doctor’s appointment this week, and I was so happy to see that the office building lobby was still fully decorated.

I know the Christmas décor will be melting away soon, but I do love that we’ve just counted our way through the 12 days of Christmas to reach the Epiphany. In fact, I still have a few gifts to send. But I should probably get my act together and send them on their way.

~6~

In one of my spur-of-the-moment Black Friday purchases, I signed up for one of those meal-kit delivery services, and I’ve actually been enjoying not having to plan out a couple of meals a week.

I know that cost-wise it is probably more expensive, but it keeps me out of the grocery store, where I make spontaneous purchases, so we might come out even. And the recipes do stretch me a bit, especially on a weeknight.

The best part, though, is how everything is already measured out—and I love the tiny bottles of vinegar that are occasionally in the sets. They are ridiculously cute.

~7~

One way to celebrate the Epiphany is by making a king cake, and one year maybe I will pull that off. But I grabbed three king-size KitKat bars at the store and gave them to my own three kings at home.

Simple, easy, fun, and everyone is happy.

One day maybe I will make a king cake. I would love to do that. But I love an easy liturgical living win. And now that we’ve finished all the candy that was in our stockings, who doesn’t want a KitKat?

Happy Epiphany!

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