Christmas Spaghetti Western in Europe

Christmas this year reminded me of the old Clint Eastwood western: "The Good the Bad and the Ugly."

It started off with the GOOD-- the Christmas stories by the twinkling tree, eating Sarah's yummy jelly she sent, baking piles of goodies to take to friends, the kids practicing "Silent Night" and "Oh Little town of Bethlehem" on the violin, piano and clarinet.

It remained GOOD with the myriad of Christmas parties at the Ambassador's villa, friend's houses and the church,
lounging with friends after finals
and coworkers after work
and with friends enjoying five kinds of Christmas cakes...

But all that GOOD was eventually followed by the BAD...

presents we sent that didn't show up or ones that did show up, but since the store refused to exchange or even give back the merchandise -- the receiver ended up with absolutely nothing.

And then there were kids and a cat (pinch hitting for baby Jesus) that wouldn't cooperate with the yearly nativity reenactment

And me picking out the wrong boots and wrong gig of memory for an ipod nano
Followed by music writing software that needed something else in order to make it work
followed by a sick boy running a fever

But all this didn't compare to THE UGLY: a pink "SNUGGIE"
purple disco glittery horse hip hugger pants (really they are kinda cute)

But Christmas MIRACLES always come through in the end: a huge smile on (a normally unsmiling) teenagers face due to a a gift from his girlfriend

New friends far from home who are lonely and missing family
who find 'home' and happiness, a reason to smile and the Christmas spirit even while enduring squawking kids Christmas renditions.

And then there was the baby of the family who did dishes, scrubbed the stove and cleaned her room without being asked

And the kids' Jewish friend Omri who loves American movies and our goodies like brownies and krispies treats and who asked if he could come over to experience what Christmas means
And who left feeling good about Hanukkah and our Christian holiday.

Now it feels like we are starring in a "Palmful of Pocket Change" rather than a "Fistful of Dollars" after expenses... but ultimately we feel truly feel grateful for our Savior and his gift which leaves us feeling immensely rich in blessings and more GOOD than bad and ugly...