We go to the grandkidlets' house in the morning for all the Christmas Day excitement. But ever since I was little, I've loved Christmas Eve the best. The quiet, the anticipation, the eggnog, and recently adding the late service at Duke Chapel!
I've figured out there is a special peace on Christmas Eve. I think it has something to do with all the angels flying about, harking the herald, announcing God has sent His Son to earth because God loved the whole world. And there are plenty in my house spreading the news.
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| This is my angel tree with ornaments that have been around longer than I have. |
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| These felt ornaments were handmade by my mom's best friend when I was born. |
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| This blue angel from my tree growing up is also a favorite. |
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| I found these vintage angel appliques at the flea market. A friend made a custom tree skirt for me. |
They are all about, whispering, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14) And women for that matter. They shouted the same to the shepherds to get their attention. I have a feeling they've been shouting all Christmas season long. But in the quiet of Christmas Eve, I hear them loud and clear.
I hope you have a peaceful Christmas Eve, whether it is in church, with family, or as you put those last gifts together. May God's peace fill your heart. So, do you love Christmas Eve or Christmas Day the best?
I've always been a fan of Christmas Eve I think - Christmas Eve was the day we celebrated with my favorite grandparent...later loved the church candlelight communion service...just the going to bed with excitement still to come..Christmas day was up early...opening presents then other grqndparent's then it was all over...tree down next day and all over til the next year. I still prefer Christmas Eve
ReplyDeleteSusanna
That's a great summation Susanna. Hope your Christmas Eve is blessed.
DeleteSo lovely, Julie! Charming traditions!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Christmas season person. We've always extended the full Advent from the first Sunday through the feast of Little Christmas in January. I found with kids it was easier for them to grasp the full scope of the meaning, the anticipation if we did that. I love both days. We have ol' Dave's family over on Christmas Eve for feasting and fun and for two years now there's an empty seat at the table where Grandpa used to sit... But there's a new baby due any day and life goes on! Then the late Mass at our church, in the dark of a December night... We'll celebrate as a whole family on Saturday, that way my kids don't feel pulled in multiple directions on Christmas. I decided that's a selfish thing for parents to do, and anytime I get together with my kids is my holiday, so the day and date don't matter. Family does!
Susanna, leave the decorations up longer this year! Extend the season, just like the church does. Give yourself permission to enjoy the beauty after the craziness has passed.
I love that quiet week or so of decorations and music and peace after Christmas. It makes me smile!
Our celebrations extend all the way to the first weekend in January for a lot of the reasons you mention. Why stress the kids when we can just have more celebrations?
DeleteWe take down the big tree but leave the nativities up until Epiphany. Don't want to ignore the story of the Wise Men.
Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAnd also to you!
DeleteYes, I've taught my son about Epiphany. And since he is the one who is doing the putting up and taking down, why not? Yay for peace at Christmas--even for clowns....:)
ReplyDeleteI knew I'd win you over...well, sort of! And this Christmas I will be taking down and decluttering old ornaments that have no meaning or are broken bits of popsicle sticks!
DeleteI love Christmas Eve too. It's the anticipation. For years we used to stomp out into a nearby park and decorate a fir tree for the animals -- with edible ornaments made out of bread and peanut butter and bird seeds. It would start out with my daughter and me and the dogs but I'd pick up kids like the pied piper along the way and it would turn into a tobogganing party and then back to my place for hot chocolate and sugar cookies before church.
ReplyDeleteLove that visual of the tree for the animals. So great. Blessings!
DeleteI'm a big Christmas Eve lover as well. I love the peace. I love setting out gifts. Of course, nowadays, the kids are still up with me, so it's not quite as peaceful. :) But we enjoy snuggling on the couch and watching movies.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to be able to spend the evening at Duke Chapel. It's gorgeous, and I love to listen to the pipe organ. Of course, now that my oldest graduated, we haven't been back to Durham. Maybe someday we'll plan a trip for the holiday. We could meet you there, Julie! :)
Sounds like a plan. I noticed this year the Children's Service starts at 2pm in order to add another service. Don't they know 2pm is nap time? Or maybe all bets are off on Christmas Eve where sleep is concerned.
DeleteAhhh! Christmas Eve!
ReplyDeleteIt's 3:00 in the afternoon here in the Black Hills. The sun is going down, businesses are beginning to close up for the holiday, and we're looking forward to Christmas Eve service at church in a couple hours.
Then it's home for a cozy Christmas Tea and a game of "Life" - the vintage version :)
Someday soon we'll be celebrating with in-laws and grandchildren and again be inundated with noise and excitement, but for now we're happy with our adult Christmas - peace and quiet.
Until some brother decides his sister needs a "hug", and then...bedlam!
Have a wonderful, Merry Christmas, everyone.
"May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white."
We are home from services and relaxing with A Christmas Carol. Hoping you enjoy the snow!
DeleteHow lovely! Our day was packed from sun up to now, 10:30Pm with cooking and visitor after visitor, sometimes arriving at the same time. Our little house has been packed to the gills... even more than usual... and there's nothing better!
ReplyDeleteWe made 3 batches of Christmas tamales, sent about 50 away with visitors, another 50 to relatives, and had three families over for dinner. Then we took a break and went to the Christmas Eve service which was very peaceful for me because I wasn't answering the door and cooking! *whew* And more cooking tomorrow and more visitors!!
I waned to spend time writing this next week but I think my husband wants to rent a cabin at a vacation spot we love, so maybe we'll do that. I do love this cabin. It sleeps 20 (it's three stories) so maybe we'll just tell people where we are and they can come up to see us there. Bringing the sleds!
Sounds wonderful. Is that the cabin you have visited before? Sounds like a post- Christmas holiday to me! AH, and Christmas tamales!!!!
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