Christmas

Our family had a very nice Christmas, and hope your family did also! We decided to give minimum gifts this year, but obviously the gifts were given with much thought and consideration of the receiver. We spent a day shopping, as a family, the week before Christmas. Tim and I shopped for a new comforter for our bed, but couldn't find one that we liked even a little bit. We were THRILLED that Cody and Morgan got us one, and it's perfect! It's been so cold the last few nights, we've put it to good use.

The best part of Christmas was attending church together on Christmas Eve. I have attended "our" church since I was about 16 years old, and the Christmas Eve service is still much like it was then. My favorite part of the service is at the end.

The pastor lights his candle from one at the altar, and lights candles of several ushers, who then light the candles of the member at the end of every row. As members light their candles from the candle of the person next to them, the lights are turned down, and eventually the only light comes from the candles (I think the fire marshall would be appalled!). Then . . . we sing "Silent Night."

The familiar music, the candles, being with friends and family . . . it brings tears to my eyes every year, and even now, just thinking about it. It is beyond belief to me that Someone would love me enough to send His Son to the earth, as a baby in a manger, to forgive little old me of my sins. It's just overwhelming. It's one tradition I hope never changes.