We began our Christmas morning at Rachael and Andrew’s house in Covina, where we’d spent the night after an all-day Christmas Eve celebration with our family, most of Andrew’s immediate family, and our son-in-law Ron’s mother, Cindy. We had coffee and Thai food leftovers from Christmas Eve, then drove 30 miles to Hollywood to celebrate Christmas at our church.

Attending Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood, was the perfect way to celebrate Christmas morning. We sat with our dear friends from Wales, Janis and John Davies, the parents of our rector, Canon Ian Elliot Davies. Also, the church was decorated beyond its usual excellent Christmas standards, making it the prettiest I’ve ever seen in our 30+ years of attendance. After the service, we visited with many parishioners, all brimming with holiday cheer. I was particularly delighted to have a lively, writerly conversation with Joan Johnson, who made the trek from her mountain town of Crestline. Overall, it was a lovely morning, and I was pleased to celebrate Christmas with other folks who looked as happy to be at St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood, as I was.

Afterward, Ray and I stopped by daughter Sarah’s house in South Pasadena to spend more time with the Pacheco-Beaty family, plus Sarah’s friend, Heather, who has been an honorary member of our family since she and Sarah were little girls in Texas. We saw the presents Santa had brought the kids, ate more, and then left for Ojai by midafternoon. We arrived just as it was getting dark, then walked down to say a quick hello to daughter Liz and little Ethan (Ron was somewhere else at that moment). After a short conversation and a nice kiss from Ethan, Ray and I headed home, tired but grateful to be surrounded by such love in every corner of our lives.

I wish you all well during this holiday season. May light and love surround this world as we pray for all those who are sick or suffering. Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, oh Lord, and have mercy upon us. Amen.

Big hugs to all,

Len

Here are a few photos:

St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood

St. Damien Chapel

Canon Davies processing into the church with Stephen Kemp ahead of him

Janis and John Davies, our rector’s parents from Wales

Our thurifer, Art Grigorian, who was right in the middle of a 360 rotation of the thurible. Nice job, Art!