12th day of Christmas and Theophany Morn'

The first blessing of the waters, 

after liturgy on the Fore-Feast of Theophany...

Nuns from a nearby Greek Monastery gave this Cross to our priest,

it is one esp. for Theophany... 

Our beloved Christ, He blesses these waters...

on the day we have Theophany, 

which means the day that God showed Himself...

Theo (God) 

phany (appearance/revelation, similar to Epiphany but specifically of the manifestation of God) ...

Theo-phany!

I still need to ask about the two people small in this icon under Christ.

I know that the large slabs in a Cross under Christ's feet have to do with

how later He will die and rise again, 

breaking the gates of hell forever. 

It always goes towards what Christ came do to,

Womb & Tomb,

going beyond both, 

saving us. 

*

The first liturgy a family with 5 kids, who I love, 

were there and they had so much fun.

They are well behaved and their laughter at being sprinkled after the 

blessing of water that was after the liturgy

was so joyful and so infectious... just beautiful. 

Vigil that night.

We had the honour of taking our munchkin out to eat before at a local

restaurant,.. home-style noodles, shrimp, and vegetarian sushi were 

all enjoyed greatly... 

and to vigil that day and it was lovely.

We heard of a snowman, made with 3 big marshmallows, whipped cream for glue,

oreos for the base, pretzel sticks for legs and arms and a surprising sharpy marker

used.  Surprising because the Munchkin ate it, with marker marks and all.

I treasure that story, that memory, as I do many....

*

The bread made for the vigil has sugar in it,

dipped in the wine used, it has to be about the best thing

I have ever eaten, I do love it.

*

And that was the 12th day of Christmas...

*

We stayed overnight in a nearby hotel, 

going to liturgy again on Theophany....

It is beautiful there, early in the morning for these vigils... 

Christ is Baptised!

In the Jordan!