Christmas 2008. I just enjoyed reading the Christmas Traditions account from my niece in Memphis. She has some wonderful memories. :-)
I guess Bill and I have a few traditions as well. We are very involved with music - in our church and in the community. So there are the usual Holiday programs and Advent celebrations with choir, bells and/or brass. We attend at least one candlelight Christmas Eve service. Every other year we go to 2. Our church has their service at 5:00. The choir usually sings (Linda's - sometimes Bill fills in as well). This year we had the priviledge of helping with the readings. That was fun.
Every other year the Hallelujah Brass plays at Trinity Presbyterian Church (Bill's group). So we enjoyed a 10:30 service with our friends there. We do know quite a few worshipers there, in their choir and in the congregation.
Our tree gets put up whenever I haul it out of the closet. We inherited my parents' fake tree. I miss the smell of pine, but enjoy the tree just the same. As Bill and I hung ornaments we remarked how many of them tell a bit of our history. Even though we don't have homemade ones from children over the years, we do have ones that are gifts from former students, souvenirs from our travels, and others that were in Mom's old Christmas boxes.
When we are in town on Christmas Day we have a big meal with our dear friends, the Collas and Traughbers. This year it is here at our house! We will barbecue a standing rib roast and offer hors d'oeuvres. Our friends bring the rest of the meal. There is always plenty. :-) Of course we will have trays of goodies around for snacking. Then there will be a marathon of game playing - Phase 10, Trivial Pursuit, Mad Gab, and any other new games some of us may have gotten for Christmas. We always enjoy our day with these great friends!
I do love the celebration of Christmas. It is humbling to remeber that God himself came to live as a human - even as a new born baby. One of my new favorite Christmas songs is "Mary, Did You Know?" The words and imagry are powerful:
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you. Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little baby you've kissed the face of God. The blind will see the deaf will hear the dead will live again the lame will leap the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb. Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? This sleeping child you're holding is the Great I Am!
I am thankful to know this child, this Son of God, is my Savior and Lord. Praise be God for his most precious gift.
