Day 8

Christmas Sunday.  One of my very favorite days of the year.  I love singing the Christmas carols, hearing the Christmas story and feeling the excitement of what’s ahead.  And I love sharing it with my family.  The ones related to me and my church family.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Tonight some of our church members gathered together to sing carols at the homes of those who aren’t able to get out anymore.  It is always one of my favorite events.  Sadly, this year I wasn’t able to sing because of my cold.  But, I was able to stay back and wait for the singers to return from their quest  to eat soup and drink hot cocoa.  While I waited in the fellowship area an older gentleman began playing Christmas carols on his guitar.  Warm turkey noodle soup simmered on the stove making the whole space smell delicious.  It was such a festive atmosphere.

Our church is not very big so to say I know every person there is not an exaggeration. It was such joy to watch the carolers trickle back in from their mission and to eat a warm cozy meal together.  The conversations were wonderful and the food hit the spot.  To me, this type of gathering captures the spirit of the season.  And it gives me a chance to wish the ones who mean so much to me a Merry Christmas.

It also gives those who are able a chance to reach out with hope and cheer to those who aren’t. Singing about the birth of our wonderful Savior.  Sharing the love that our world is so short of these days.  Just being together, re-enforcing community among those of us who believe.  It is just beautiful to watch and to experience and to share.

So, even though I didn’t get to actually be involved in the singing this year, it was still a meaningful, friend-filled joyous night.

I am so thankful for my church family.

And I am also thankful for all the Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel.  Good, clean entertainment night after night.   Watching a good movie is a great ending to a happy day.