Focus of His Love

This is the most common Christmas decoration here in the Alentejo and, I've noticed, over in Spain as well. A red banner with Jesus is Born, and Happy Christmas above and below the Baby Jesus. They've started hanging them in Mourão for the procession this afternoon of Our Lady of Conception. 

Beautiful, sparkly day again. Two Roma lads have asked if they can pick the remaining olives, and hard at it now, good to see. After the Eucharist, we're off to Évora to collect Ricardo for our farewell meal tonight, with the Padre, and others. 

It's the continual ache of those who live in more than one country; wherever you are, you're missing someone...

Today's Advent reading is from Ephesians 1; verse 3 says:

Long before he (God)laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. 

Such hope,  to know how loved we are, and that God has better plans for us than we can even dream of.