Start the New Year With Sun Dog

On New Year's afternoon, we spotted a rainbow by the sun:  a sun dog!  It was more visible to the eye, they tell me, than it is on this photo.  You can, however, see it over the pond between the Wellness Center and the flag.

To me such a special occurrence in our solar system is much like the gift of Christmas itself:  the Light of the Word, the Son of God, interacting with Creation.  The sun dog phenomenon is due to interaction of light from the sun with material particles in the atmosphere.

Isn't it interesting that this pillar of light by the sun is called a dog?

Here is a photo of me with Sister Paula.  See any resemblance between me and the sun dog?  I'm thinking about it.



The Animals Welcomed God

Merry Christmas!  Christmas is a big event in all of the animal world because we were there to welcome God before anyone else (except for Mary and Joseph, of course.)  We Collies get into the spirit of this holiday easily: God came to be with all creatures!  It makes more sense to celebrate this event than any other event I know of.  I barked a Merry Christmas to my neighbor Irish Setters when they came up the driveway today.  They answered back with a lovely howl. 

I am enclosing a photo of the creche handmade by Sisters Aggie and Carol over 20 years go.  They made it out of breaddough* and Carol puts it up on the mantle every year.  I hope you take time to re-enjoy the treasures of your life these days.  May your memories be happy ones.  May your new year make many more moments to recall with gratitude next Christmas.

*From Clare's Well recipe book p.151