Eve of Christmas

On the Eve of Christmas, let us await with excitement the celebration of our Savior’s birth. It is time for family, friends and strangers to welcome all with a greeting of love and joy.


~Marie T. Morrison~

PUTTING AWAY

I took down the Christmas tree today, with its withered branches and dried needles collecting on the floor.  It is always hard to take it down, so full of memories. I see  play dough ornaments and Popsicle stick stars made by the children years ago.  I look at the small, carved hummingbird we bought on our first date, and others given to us as wedding presents.  I admire the lovely trinkets presented to us through the years from dear friends and decorations passed on from generations before us. Each child has his or her own list of meaningful ornaments, so they may take those special ones to their own homes one day, ready to start their own family’s tree. It is a bittersweet moment, as I place decorations into their own boxes.  I remember why each was a unique adornment for this child, from the time their tiny hands were holding it up in wonder.. Generations will pass away, but the stories, the laughter, the tears of excitement and the love of tradition will never end. Faces will continue to light up as memories are brought alive, just as the Spirit lights up our souls with His radiance every Christmas.

Holiday Music

Christmas Music.  Some of it we have heard in stores for months. Even while out enjoying Italian food lately, I heard the common Christmas carols. It seemed so out of place. However, hearing a Christmas concert in a Church setting was resplendent. It was enchanting, hearing songs from all over the world. The concert ended with O Holy Night and Night of Silence. They deeply affected me. I was moved to tears. The words and melodies of these songs tell me why we do celebrate Christmas.  Having the image of Joseph and Mary finding a place to give birth to our Savior is a stunning one. How fortunate we are, to still have this vivid image, the son of God being born, saving all of us, sharing His Spirit among many. God Bless You on this night before Christmas.