Dear Reader:

I absolutely love this whimsical painting of Santa Claus paying homage to the Baby Jesus. The question is: Is Santa peeking at Him or peeping at the Christ Baby? Do we try to peep at our presents or peek?

These two words drive me batty when I am trying to decide which to use…I should have done my homework years earlier…and I would have discovered that each is an origin of the other. Simply put…either one is correct.  (I always thought baby chicks “peeped” while we humans “peeked” inside windows or around corners- Who knew?)

The words are similar in meaning. In fact, peep derives from peek. And peek comes from an earlier word (keek) that still exists in  Scottish dialect.

Both have almost exact meanings:

peek: to look through a narrow opening; to look into or out of an enclosed or concealed space; (also) to glance or look furtively at, to pry.

peep: to look through a narrow aperture, as through half-shut eyelids or through a crevice, chink, or small opening into a larger space; (hence) to look quickly or furtively from a vantage point; to steal a glance.

Don’t we hold children ‘hostage’ to the idea that Santa Claus is peeping around looking to see “who’s been naughty or nice?”

Throughout my life I have heard the rather tiring (repeated) discussion about separating Santa Claus from God and the Baby Jesus being born in a manger. It never bothered me as a child and it certainly doesn’t bother me as an adult either…as long as children stay exposed to the true meaning of Christmas… to the scriptural  Christmas Story along with the symbol of Santa as a kind person who loves children and wants them to be good…and happy!

God always tells us there is plenty of room in His Home…and I think a symbol like Santa is more preferable than the terrible misdeeds of too many real humans we read about in the news each day….Santa, to me,  is a fictional version of a loving “Mr. Rogers.” Anytime love is involved…especially for God’s children…I think God is just fine with it.

Magic and old legends should always have their place in children’s lives….to promote imagination! There is plenty of time for stark reality in the world but creativity along with God’s creation produces stories of wonder and awe.

Today is December 1….The Christmas month has officially arrived and I think (besides Santa)…that a rabbit would have been welcomed at the Nativity Scene too. *Jo and Colby...your first-day-of-the-month crystal rabbit wanted to peep/peek and see the Baby Jesus too! 🙂

Don’t forget to say ‘rabbit ”rabbit’ today on the first day of the month…and have a happy happy merry merry month!

So until tomorrow…Never forget Jesus welcomes everyone to the manger… every minute of every hour of every day, month, and year. Come peek at the Baby Jesus and discover what love is all about.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

No need to explain why the Dingle Boys left very happy yesterday and it appears that Rutledge had a ball…literally and emotionally! 🙂

Great Seats! Rutledge…Did you get to see Trevor’s long blond hair flying in the air?

While the boys were gone…the girl cousins (Clemson and USC) kin met for lunch and some shopping…first time the girls had gotten together in a long time…they modeled while Lassie, Doodle, and I gave’em the thumbs up or down on their attire…all up...they are so cute!

Kaitlyn and I got “All In” for Clemson and Kaitlyn looked so pretty under the Bradford Pear…(whose days are numbered…the leaves are starting to fall!)

I hope this month and the holiday season will be the very best for all of you! It’s been a difficult year…I think everyone deserves some extra love this year and promises of hope!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another game…THE GAME…the kind that causes heart attacks. My son-in-law John attended Auburn and is a huge Auburn fan along with Mandy (as long as they aren’t playing Clemson 🙂

The family had flown to Huntsville, Alabama to spend Thanksgiving with John’s family, W.T. and Joan…and left very early yesterday morning… just to end up waiting on a plane with mechanical problems.

But somehow they finally flew back into Charleston just in time to make the Auburn-Alabama game….and boy, was it a game! The evening ended with an exhausted…but exhilarated John and Mandy.

Within five minutes after beating Alabama the internet was flooded with t-shirts! Capitalism at is most “athletic” ?  🙂

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