MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
I’ve begun this day cooking. My house is already filled with the familiar smells of Christmas. Excitement is in the air as my children are asking, “When will we go to grandma’s house today?”
We start our celebration by attending the Christmas Eve service at church. From there we go to my parent’s house, have dinner, and open presents. The children go first because they can hardly wait. As for the adults, we each buy a man’s gift and a women’s gift, and depending on the game we play, determines which gift each ends up with. Then, we have desert.
Once we arrive home and the kids are settled into bed, my husband and I stuff stockings. Then it’s off to bed. In the morning, I make a small breakfast because we have a larger feast mid-morning at my in laws. We gather around the tree, read the story of Christ’s birth from Luke, and then dive into the presents. We take turns opening our gifts starting with the youngest to the oldest (me) in the house. Each person opens one gift then the next person opens a gift and so on and on. This way we all get to enjoy what has been given and received.
From 11:00-2:00 we celebrate with my husband’s side of the family. He has 2 brothers and two sisters’ although his sister Michele celebrates Christmas each year in the presence of Christ! Needless to say, it’s a large family. We always have a great time together.
Then it’s back home where I prepare Christmas dinner. My eldest son’s grandmother joins us along with any family or friends who want to join in the celebration. We usually have a house full. One year, Cody, a friend of my son’s accepted Christ as his Savoir and Lord in our home! It was a Christmas miracle none of us will ever forget!
Like Mary, who pondered the things of Christ in her heart, I pray that you and I will do the same as we celebrate with our family and friends. I pray that we will consider and mediate on God’s goodness, the truth in why He came, and the benefits we receive. Christmas time is and should be a time of reflection and thankfulness—because no matter what this world hands us if you have Christ, you have all you need.
As you spend time with family and friends celebrating the birth of our Savoir, may He fill you with supernatural joy and peace.
God bless!
Angela @ Refresh My Soul Blog says
That is so sweet. Merry Christmas to you sweet friend!
Much love,
Angela
elaine @ peace for the journey says
Hope your Christmas was grand! As for me, I’m pooped and resting for a few days before the “storing away” begins. God’s blessings to you and yours as we finish 2008 and look toward the promises of 2009. It’s a great season for living the hope and vision of our God.
peace~elaine