What a great holiday! Why… it’s the “most wonderful time of the year!” I rejoice in having family near us. Unfortunately, our son and daughter-in-law won’t be able to get home this year. I’ll miss them. He’s my “bowl-watching buddy” so I’ll have to go it alone this year.
With in-laws and grandchildren, it gets dicey in terms of spending time with everyone. We’re fortunate that our in-laws are actually our next-door neighbors! yes… our daughter literally married the “boy next door!” Makes it convenient for everyone.
I always pause at some point as Christmas Eve night approaches to remember my parents. Christmas Eve became a “big deal” at our house as my sister and I grew older. Mom was a “Christmas junkie” and always “fought” (pestered might be a better word!) dad to let everybody open a “couple of presents” after we got home from Christmas Eve church. He compromised and agreed to let us open one.
Our Christmas Eve dinner became even more of a tradition than our Christmas Day meal. My wife still prepares it and our daughter swears it’s a better meal than turkey and dressing the following day. What is our traditional Christmas Eve dinner? A classic Virginia feast of Smithfield ham biscuits and Brunswick stew (which, by the way, was first served near us in Brunswick County, Virginia… NOT up north!!!) We celebrate the birth of the Christ child. Emmanuel… God with us.
Merry Christmas everyone!!!
