Of storms and Santa caps

Sunless sky with rain clouds

We've been hearing fighter jets booming overhead the whole morning. Not sure what's happening ... where the bombing is taking place. It's very unsettling.

My morning was very busy with one Mass at 7am and another at 9am. After that it was house visiting and  blessing the families and homes. I was my first time walking inside the Armenian Quarter visiting the armenian catholics there. It was very pleasant to see the families in their homes. I'll have a couple more houses scheduled next Sunday ... I bought panettone and sweets for each family ... something to make the feast a little more fun. Most of the families are very poor and a little extra goes a long way ... and Christmas can be spent less stressful and hectic.

Tree at Notre Dame

The weather was stormy up in the north. Reports say there were floodings and injuries and even one death. I'm sure there'll be flooding in the southern Negev desert as well. The sky over Jerusalem was heavy and dark. The sun can hardly shine through. And the wind is very very cold. Forecast is for similar weather for the next few days.

Meantime the political storm over the 3rd election is brewing. People are unhappy that tax-payers one are being spent a 3rd time round. Companies are offices are unhappy that another day off will take place and workers must still be paid. And it doesn't look likely that this 3rd round will guarantee any one party from achieving a majority vote.

On a festive note, Christmas decorations are found everywhere in the Christian Quarter. I haven't yet seen the iconic La Salle College Christmas Tree at New Gate but the one in Notre Dame centre is huge enough to see part of it from the road outside. There were lots of secular jews and groups coming through the Christian Quarter yesterday and today to see the decorations. I saw some even buying Santa caps at a christian shop. Ecumenism at work.