Stir up thy power

by chuckofish

Yesterday, in case you were unaware, was “Stirring-it-up Sunday”–at least in merry old England. My friend Carla, who has an English mother-in-law like my dual personality, told me that the third Sunday in Advent is when everyone goes home from church and prepares/stirs up the Christmas pudding. It is also the Sunday when the collect of the day is:

Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let they bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee ad the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

Jolly appropriate, don’t you think?

I did not go home and stir up anything in my kitchen, but I thought fondly of Carla’s husband Chris stirring it up in his.

No, I spent my weekend–spoiler alert–wrapping presents. It is one of those things that takes a long time and can be as hard on the back as some forms of physical labor. I also worked on getting the house ready for the arrival of daughter #2 on Wednesday night. Once she is home we will decorate our big tree. As planned the boy came over and put the tree up in its stand, so that the branches can come down.

IMGP0836

I also shoveled the front walk. I like to get out in the snow. It reminds me of my college days. Here I am at the Williams College Winter Carnival in 1977 falling down the slalom course with a friend. We were gate keepers. We picked up the flags when they got knocked down.

Winter Carnival 1977

Winter Carnival 1977

Unlike my mother who skied for Middlebury, I couldn’t even handle gate-keeping apparently. You might be surprised how steep that hill is.

I was better at this kind of winter activity.

snow turtle

…watching while other people built snow sculptures. It is good to know one’s limitations.

How was your weekend?

P.S. R.I.P. Peter O’Toole:
Into paradise may the angels lead thee; and at thy coming may the martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem.
–BCP, Burial of the Dead, Rite I

Peter O'Toole made a hellavu good angel in "The Bible".

Peter O’Toole made a hellavu good angel in “The Bible”.