The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas is over, but we made some wonderful memories. The weekend was busy with church. Christmas Eve was on Saturday and we had 2 Candlelight services: one at 5:00 & one at 7:00. Andy and I attended both services because we had responsibilities. But we didn't mind because we saw dear friends at each that we would have missed if we had only attended one service.

There was also a service on Sunday, Christmas Day. I didn't think many people would venture out on Christmas Day itself because of spending the day with their families. However, I was wrong, and the church was full. It was a blessing to be there with other believers on this very special holiday. I got to thinking that all the blessings we enjoy: family, church, material things - would all not be possible apart from the generosity of the Lord. But even without the material blessings we experience, the spiritual benefits of knowing the Lord would not be possible apart from the Christmas Day many years ago. Because Jesus came as a baby for the purpose of bringing us salvation we enjoy life to the fullest and have everything we need for life and godliness.

On Sunday after our church service, I drove up to get my mother and bring her back to our house. When she got here, we played a couple of games, then I had some prep work to do for our family Christmas the next day. She stayed overnight with us and was able to celebrate with our girls and their families.

So we celebrated our Christmas on Monday, Dec. 26th. Everyone arrived a little before 10:00, with one family (who will remain nameless - except that they had the least distance to travel!) arriving about 20 minutes later. The table and kitchen were overflowing with food. We had French toast casserole, quiche, baked oatmeal, bacon & sausage wraps, hash brown casserole, apple juice, orange juice. And that was just for brunch.

After eating, we opened our presents. I had bought a Tape-to-MP3, portable player and converter a couple of months ago and proceeded to convert all the cassette tapes the girls had as kids to cd's. I was able to get about 8 done for each family. So all the kids have lots of stories and cd's to listen to now. I still have lots to do, so I'll be busy with that project for a while. Everyone had decided to get the kids a gift, but the adults did a while elephant exchange. That was fun.

Waiting patiently.

Christy got a t-shirt that said she supported gun control.

Ricky got earrings.

The kids with their presents

After opening our presents, some of us went to Boundary Creek Park in Moorestown along the Rancocas Creek for our traditional hike on Christmas Day. It was nice and sunny, not too cold and a beautiful day for a hike in the park.
After the hike, we all came back to the house and ate some more. We had lots of munchies: cheese ball and crackers, fruit and dip, cookies, mocha punch, popcorn; and made tuna melts for those who needed something a little more substantial.

Around 3:00 the party started breaking up. Amy and Ricky left with their family and were kind enough to take Mother home. Dawn and Tommy left a little later and last of all, Christy and Christian left a little before 5:00.

It was a very fun day with lots of warm fuzzy feelings and happy memories. I got to hold Claire a while. I think she's getting to know me!Speaking of warm and fuzzy, the kids all went together to get Andy and me new robes.
What a contrast, though, to Jesus' birth. The manger was anything but warm and fuzzy. Having grown up on a farm, I know what mangers are like. Yuck! But because Jesus was born in so lowly and humble a place, salvation is accessible to all.