Category Archives: Christmas

At our small group we were talking about some of the Christmas traditions that have changed for us over the years.  Oh, it is good to have seen so many changes and still love the Christmas season. 

We then watched Charlie Brown’s Christmas together.  I haven’t watched that one in a long time.  We do not watch this type of movie over and over as some people do for sentimental reasons.  That is maybe good.  I think I actually remember watching it the first year it was a movie – I was about 16.  It was a fairly radical little movie when it first came out. 

So here are some of my most vivid Christmas memories and traditions:
– hanging our stockings.  We used my grandad’s stump socks – he had an amputation after WWI and the socks were perfect for Santa – and big.
– The paper pop-up manger scene always under the tree at my grandparent’s house
– The year the root beer brewing under my parents bed blew up!
– The year the three of us older kids drove to Minneapolis where my dad was in school.  They have serious snowstorms and we drove through one.  That Christmas Mom and I bought my wedding dress.
– Our first year in the Congo – the year we were going to forgo a tree.  Someone gave us a really bad aluminum one.  It was one of the best we ever have had in terms of the helping set the scene for us.  That year Christmas was illegal in the Congo and we worked – sort of – that day.  Since there was no holiday, the church celebrated most of the night. 
– Homemade ham ( made by scratch – all the way from raising the pig to butchering to curing and smoking )  This is a tradition at our table now – the kids insist.  But I don’t make it myself anymore.
– Tourtiere – I learned how to make this as a treat for Leo
– reading the story from Luke on Christmas Eve before beginning our gift opening.
– lighting the Advent candles and taking time together to read and sing with the kids.

Being together is very important for all of my children at this time of year.  My house has become the gathering spot and I like that.  Christmas Eve is a big night for us.  Christmas Day is quieter since the kids go to their in-laws or to their friends homes.  Boxing day – that seems to be for visiting with friends.

Merry Christmas to everyone. 

Tradition in our family has always been to celebrate big on Christmas Eve.  We did again last night – turkey, ham, tourtiére, rice pudding, etc, etc.  Going to the Christmas Eve Candlelight service.  Returning home to read together the Christmas story from Luke as a family.  Then opening the pile of gifts under, around and in our tree.  Last night we were 16 – all my seven children, two spouses, my mom and dad and my aunt.

The highlight of the day was my dad coming out of the long term bed at the hospital to share the evening, meal and church service with us.  Two of my boys went with Leo to pick him up from the hospital.  Rachelle contributed her expertise as a special care aide to help them transfer him from the car into the wheelchair on the main floor.  He seemed to have a great time.  It was well worth the effort it took to get him moved from place to place.  And taking him back to the hospital and leaving him there was made easy by the wonderful nursing staff who welcomed him back to his “home” there. 

This morning Leo and I got up early to be part of the early morning ‘Julötta” gathering.  This is a remnant of Swedish tradition and a bit crazy in today’s busy world on a morning when most people need to be at home with their families.  So Leo who is French Canadian brought us a devotional – drawing from his Catholic background with it’s devotion to Mary – about how God chooses ordinary people to accomplish his purposes.  Just ordinary people who hear God calling them and respond; letting God work out some amazing plans for his world.

Now all is quiet around the house.  Naps are being taken.  We have lots of leftovers and snacks so I am free from all the stuff that keeps a mother busy at this time of the year.  Tomorrow we do more entertaining.  That will be good too but for now I need the quiet. 

All has taken place at my house in such an atmosphere of happiness and peace.  My oldest son had a near miss yesterday am when he totaled their car in Saskatoon.  But he and their dog were unhurt and they were able to bring their second vehicle and get here right on schedule.  It is not always peaceful in a house with seven siblings.  These days have been – God is good.

Sunday night.  It was a good party, everyone got enough pizza.  And on the way back driving home from the Little Red River Park it was raining!

What crazy weather.

Now one more get together.  My sister and her kids are here from Alberta.  They have been up seeing my dad in hospital.  Now we will all get together for a bit tonight.

We have been fighting with our crazy furnace again this weekend – some problem with the pump that circulates the water in the pipes.  Bought three new electric heaters yesterday to keep us warm while it is being fixed.

I am tired.  But when I get home the house is warm for the first time in two days.

One more day of work.  Then Christmas.

Found this Advent calendar via Jordon 

Time keeps moving on and going faster it seems.  Preparing for the coming of Christ is what Advent is all about.  Remember to take a few minutes from your rushing around and do that.  Remember a couple of good sites – Prepare the Way and Following the Star.

It helps to get into the Christmas spirit when all the trees are decorated in sparkling white.

So tonight the lights went onto our tree, some silver garland and the ornaments we have collected over the last ten years.  Our rather “interesting” Fraser fir with it’s crooked top and not too even trim has been transformed into a thing of beauty. 

We are starting to get ready.  Even the Tourtiere is made – all six of them.  But now there are only 5.  At this rate I will be making more before Christmas.

And today, early I celebrated a little of my Swedish heritage by going to Birdie’s Santa Lucia celebration.  Yum – cardamom rolls and spicy cookies and best of all – good strong coffee.

The party season started for me yesterday.  First one – our dental lab.  The owners at South Hill are taking a trip back to Chili at Christmas this year so now their party is done and they can start packing.  Best feature of their annual get together, besides themselves, was the homemade salsa.  Was a great compliment to the turkey sandwich.

Tonight we are off to Leo’s staff party – always a big affair with several hundred people.  He has to be there at the beginning since he is saying grace.  And I had better go and get ready!

If you are looking for some good reading to help you prepare for Advent, check out Prepare the Way.  It’s a great site done by Steve McMillan.

Via Brad Boydston – a daily devotional series Following the Star to take us from Advent  to Epiphany