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Christmas Recap 2008

by Filed Under: Family Fun, Gratitude, Living Liturgically, Minnesota Me 10 Comments


“To an open house in the evening
Home shall all men come.”

(from “A Christmas Poem” by G.K. Chesterton)

Though we are still in the midst of our Christmastide celebrations, I would like to share with you a few photos from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hey, it beats working on that newsletter! (And anyway, I can’t send it out until my husband’s contribution is done, and we already know that he’s overbooked until the 1st.)

We have, for the past several years, attended the 4 p.m. Christmas vigil at our church. Usually we have a variety of dish towel-heads (I mean, shepherds) and angels who participate in the pageant, but this year—on account of the four oldest singing in the choir—we just had one participant.

An angel.

The littlest angel.

In that first photo she seemed to be having some doubts about her performance, but an extra-confident colleague soon put her at ease.

“So you’re sure they won’t, like, boo and stuff?”

There’s nothing like a new BFF to put one’s fears to rest.

“You’re the greatest! Here, take my halo.”

“I just knew I could calm her down.”
(“I also told her that you would take her to McDonald’s if she did well.”)

The angels, the shepherds, the camels and the pint-sized Joseph and Mary were, without a doubt, a beautiful addition to a joy-filled liturgy.

They were not the best part, though. No sir.

This was the best part of the Mass.

It was also the moment at which the tears started streaming down my face. My thought was, “What did I ever do to deserve such a gift?”

And then the answer came to me.

Nothing.

I did nothing to deserve this gift. Our Infant Savior came to me despite my failings. He loves me despite my faults. You bet I cried when I realized this! Unconditional love has that effect on me.

Very well, then. Moving on.

We spent Christmas Day with our much-loved extended family, the first stop being dinner at Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Doug’s house. Grandma Cathy is a wonderful hostess—a Midwestern Martha, if you will.

She also sews amazingly, quilts amazingly, knits amazingly, and gardens amazingly. I’ve pretty much got her retirement all planned out.

You see that green & white mound on the right? That’s my jello salad!
(You’re either impressed or…not.)

Oh, and Cathy’s beautiful hibiscus plant bloomed! On Christmas Day. In the morning.

Smart hibiscus.

After a lovely few hours at Grandma Cathy’s, it was on to Grandma & Grandpa Cookie’s. They earned this title, by the way, on account of their penchant for giving my children cookies.

A cookie for a song is a worthy trade, my kids figured. Heck, they sang a baker’s dozen!

This photo was taken right before Angela went spinning clean out of control.
She knocked down the tree and a big screen TV…no harm done.

Unlike her sister, Felicity can actually sit still for several minutes. Grandma Cookie liked that.

“And I got a Playmobil princess & a Playmobil unicorn & a piggy bank.
Oh, and a Wii that I’m told I’m to share with my siblings…”

At one point I had to run out to the van for something. Because John was out back looking at the horses with Grandpa Cookie and the boys, and because Grandma Cookie was still deep in discourse with Felicity, I was left in charge of my whirling dervish.

“Sit here and say the alphabet with Cate,” I told her. “And then count to 20 slowly.”

It worked! I fooled her! She mistook my clever ruse for a game
and she. stayed. put.

You think I’m mean, perhaps, for containing Angela’s…enthusiasm like that.

Well, this is the room I had to leave her in.

Do you still disagree with me?

And that’s about “all” I have to share right now. As I’ve said, there’s a newsletter to write and Caribbean-themed New Year’s Eve party to prepare for. (Chocolate cake with rum sauce, anyone?)

With much love & many New Year’s blessings,

and the gang

PS. We’ll see you next year!

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Comments

  2. Jamie says

    Wow, I want to set a table like Grandma Cathy sometime. My emphasis is always on the food. But someday I’m going to have those beautiful table settings!

    Your littlest angel rested well enough in the closet and looked very cute in her angel costume!!

    Love Father D and your church!!! I SO wish we lived closer to your parish. Just beautiful.

    I’d play those games if I had to leave any of my kids in a room like that…No, I wouldn’t, I wouldn’t leave them!!

    Happy New Year my friend, many blessings to you and yours!

    Reply

  5. Jen says

    I would so love to hang out with you and your family. You all seem like a lot of fun. Great pictures! And the jello rocks. I’m impressed. 🙂

    Reply

  9. akarels says

    Margaret, how wonderful that God gave you the gift of understanding what Christmas really means. I pray that you will hold onto this treasure throughout this year, feeling God’s love for you through the ups and downs of life.

    Reply