Counting

On the sixteenth day of December John listened to the weather forecast before breakfast and snow was predicted again. The sky had the white look that means it is heavy with snow. John and I were so pleased we ran almost the whole of the mile down the hill to wait for the school bus. A cold raw wind was blowing and we huddled into our parkas.

from The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas
by Madeleine L'Engle

It was dark and drippy this morning when I creeped into Boo's room to wake him for school. "Time to wake-up, Buddy. Today is the last day of school before Christmas!"

He replied sleepily, "Does that mean Christmas is tomorrow?"

"No, not till next week."

"Is it still ten days until Christmas?" he asked, rather mournfully.

"Only nine days now!"

Nine days might as well be nine months for the little ones. I find myself wondering if nine days will be enough time.

Each day we open another window on the advent calendar. Oh yes, we are counting down days! Are you?