Blowing rain. Chilling temps.  A fire hushing the room. A nap on the cranberry colored sofa. A black kitten on the floor. Sealing the last Christmas card and imagining its journey across the ocean, its arrival in a mailbox at the end of a driveway in America, ready to be opened, ready to breathe a bit of cheer into the end of a long day. 

Boxes carried up the steps. Nativity sets  put in place. Advent candles on the table.  A maple basket to hold cards. Wreaths ready to hang on the doors, bright with berries and delicate baby's breath. Greenery and candles, a bit of ribbon.

Christmas spirit flickering to life on a dark December night...