Our Christmas Morning 2020

 As with previous Christmas mornings, I (Angie) woke first.  I turned on all of the Christmas lights, grabbed a coffee, and spent some quiet time with God.  I knew the kids would wake soon and wait for us to "allow" them out of their rooms.

I love this morning.  My devotion couldn't have been more perfect as it reflected on God's greatest gift to us, Jesus.  I know how excited I get as I anticipate giving gifts to my kids, watching their excitement, seeing their surprise and joy.  It makes me ponder how God, the perfect father, must feel giving me gifts.

I am so thankful for 2020 and all the blessings God has given us.

I love the peace before the excitement!

Ready for Jamie's Christmas breakfast!

Someone snuck in before she was supposed to!

Miss Innocent

A new tradition started this year since we hung the garland.

December 19th Treasure

 Another tradition is the obligatory photo on the stairs before opening gifts.  Since we moved to Illinois, we have celebrated our Christmas early.  That way, we can join our family in Michigan on Christmas Day.  The kids have never minded being able to open gifts early!

Here's to having Milo home next Christmas.  We sure thought you'd be here this year, buddy, sitting on the stairs with your brothers and sisters.  It broke my heart to pull out the presents we had for you this year, only to put them back again.

Christmas morning, 2015

Christmas morning, 2020

December 18 Treasure

 My kids will tell you, I did not inherit the baking gene.  It's very recessive in me.  My grandma baked the most delicious bread and cinnamon rolls.  My mom bakes and decorates the most beautiful cookies, pies, and cakes.  Me?  Well...I've accepted that my kids are far more advanced.

All of my kids have enjoyed working in the kitchen, but Jenna is definitely the baker in the family.  She enjoys trying new recipes, using new baking tools, and providing treats for family and friends.  

During the Christmas season, we are all thankful that she is in the kitchen!

Special baking time with Ms. Wilma

Pretzels with chocolate kisses and M&Ms...a favorite!

Taking time from schoolwork to decorate cookies.  Who wouldn't??

December 15th Treasure

 Years ago, I purchased this plastic nativity from The Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida.  It seemed appropriate at the time with a bunch of little kids in the house to have a nativity they could touch without smashing!

This nativity took on a tradition all its own.  In the mornings during Advent, I would hide one of the figures.  When they were little, it was a mad dash to find it first!   I still continue this now that they are older, but reserve it for Saturday mornings only, hiding a bunch at once.

Jacob has since added to the tradition by customizing the scene each year.  This year he welcomed Elvis, Franken-duck, soldiers, and a few Chinese warriors. Love the humor he brings!

December 14th Treasure

 We had a lovely surprise last evening; friends came caroling!

I don't think we've ever had Christmas carolers come to our home before.  What a joyful treat!

Thank you for blessing us with beautiful songs, Drake and Wier families.

Night In Bethlehem, 2020

 Night in Bethlehem 2020 was outdoor only.  Jamie, Jacob, Charlie, and Jenna all participated.  It was pretty chilly, and a few snowflakes fell, but they had fun.

Jacob, a wise man

Charlie, a Roman soldier...behind a mask.

...and Jamie, a shepherd and Jenna, a baker.

December 13th Memory

My thoughts from Dec. 13, 2018 

I'm taking back the ambiguity of the word snowflake today, so don't bother me with any political replies. Like other words, time and culture have sadly changed its meaning. Today God reminded me of the beauty of the true snowflake.

By definition, a snowflake is one or more ice crystals that have reached sufficient size, complex in nature, perseveres through varying temperatures and humidity, are colorless yet appear pure white when reflecting light, and appear quite unique.

I was given this beautiful snowflake ornament by my Secret Sister this year (thank you, whoever you are!). As I gazed upon my Christmas tree this morning, I noticed this ornament sitting crooked, yet directly facing me. God whispered, "This is how I see you. Pure, no matter what you've done."

If you are a believing Christian, that's how God sees you, too. No matter what you've done or said wrong, no matter who you have hurt or who has hurt you, you are unique, sufficient, persevering, and pure as snow when you are reflecting God's light. It reminds me of the hymn, "Nothing But the Blood:"

Oh, precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow

No other fount I know

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Let go of the past, embrace the blessings of the present, and realize how much God loves you just as you are.

December 12th Memory

 My thoughts from December 12, 2018.

Does your Christmas tree have lights? I'm sure it does. Who has ever heard of a Christmas tree without some form of lighting?

I love sitting in our dark front room in front of our Christmas tree in the wee hours of the morning. I was pondering over the tree this morning, thinking of my life as the tree. There are so many precious decorations on it. They represent hobbies, travel destinations, my current family, my grandparents, and my childhood. Some are delicate and ornate; others are sweetly homemade. One is even fractured due to a silly childhood incident. All of them represent me; and my tree is surely different from yours. Such is life. The "ornaments" we hang on our life help shape who we are.

However, no matter how many glittery ornaments and tinsel we have, the tree is still dark. It's all about us. Left to itself, it will never shine in the darkness.

Now add the light. No darkness can hide the lights. We plug them in, and instantly the tree is illuminated and shining brightly. So is life when we "plug into" Jesus and He becomes our light. We can now shine for Him for all to see. No darkness we face can overcome the Light.

John 1:5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overpower) it. NASB

December 10th Treasure

 Jamie and I spent three Christmas seasons in Brussels, Belgium.  When Jacob was three, we returned to Europe and spent another three Christmas seasons in Stuttgart, Germany.

In both locations, outdoor Christmas markets were a highlight.  Stalls were set up in the city centers where merchants could display their wares, lights were strung everywhere, traditional music played, ice skating rinks were centralized among the stalls, and so many delicious treats were ready to consume!

One of the most popular items on their menus was gluhwein.  Gluhwein is a winter holiday drink served warm.  Standing in the winter nighttime air with a cup of gluhwein, we stayed cozy warm.  The mulled spices have a distinct aroma, so when we drink some here in the U.S., it takes us back to those fond memories. So glad we held on to some of our cups from those markets!

Thank you, Aldi, for stocking your shelves for us!

Charlie's Driving!

 Big day for this young man...he received his driver's permit!

He drove us home from the library, and he sure was nervous.  

He drove well, kept us out of ditches, and followed all the road directives.

My baby boy is growin' up!  Love you, buddy!

December 9th Treasure

When did this tradition begin?  I really can't remember, but it's a keeper.  For years now, Laura and I wrap Christmas presents together.  We gather the gifts, wrapping paper and supplies, shut the bedroom door, turn on Christmas tunes, and spend uninterrupted hours together wrapping presents.

This time together is a gift in and of itself, and something I can only enjoy with Laura. I'm so thankful I get to be her mama.

December 8th Treasure

 Tradition leads us to Christmas tree decorating the day after Thanksgiving.  The kids and I assemble it.  Except Charlie.  He can't stand the feel of the pokey branches.  Then Jamie, now with Charlie's help, adds the lights, and then...

ORNAMENTS!

This is my favorite part because each year, we share the same stories behind certain ornaments.  I'm sure I heard a few groans this year as I shared my stories, but I know they're listening!  I also hear them sharing stories.  It's one of those hand-me-down traditions that I hope they keep.

Here are a few of my favorite ornaments.

One of my favorite childhood ornaments that always hung on the tree.

The infamous ornament I partially broke while dancing around the living room...
after being told to-not-to...

My brothers and I each had our own angel.

A birthday party favor from my elementary school friend, Melissa.

This ornament always reminds me of the little chapel located on the road leading to Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. Jamie and I drove past this multiple times with visiting friends and family.

This poor bird was a chew toy for Laura one year.

Amarin's gingerbread man is made out of applesauce and cinnamon.  One year, Charlie thought he would taste its leg!  P.S. Charlie did not like the taste!

December 7th Treasure

 Darkness. 

It causes us to stumble over unseen objects.  Legos.  Seriously.

Performing commonplace tasks becomes impossible. Try driving a car down a dark, country road without using headlights. Better yet, don't.

Fear is evoked, because we know that potential problems love to hide under the cloak.  Horror movies thrive on this.

So, when it's dark, what do we do?  We turn on a light.

Acting practically, we shine a flashlight, light a candle, or flip a switch.

Ahhh...now we can see clearly.  Those stumbling blocks are revealed, tasks are more manageable, and hidden dangers become visible.

Lights are an essential part of Christmas decorating.  No one puts up a tree without adding lights.  No one hangs hundreds of bulbs on the outside of a house without turning them on.

I heard the results of a survey taken in Illinois; there is a 71% increase in the use of Christmas decorations, including lights, in 2020.  Why?

People are seeking hope, and light brings hope.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 8:12  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

December 6th - St. Nicholas Day

Happy St. Nicholas Day! 

Traditions are so meaningful this year. I love surprising my family with treats.

December 5th Treasure

 If you were to ask someone to describe Christmas with key words, you might hear joyful, peaceful, calm, glorious.  I call these "Jesus answers;" they're truthful words, but not always descriptive of how the Christmas season feels for some.

Christmas brings out deep emotions, and sometimes these emotions are heavy and difficult.  The world throws challenges and heartache our way, and this season of reflection brings it all to the surface once more.

There are decorations in our home right now that cause me to shake my head and chuckle.  It makes me thankful for the humor of my oldest.  So, without further ado, I bring you this year's goofiest decoration of all...and the one that makes me shake my head and chuckle.  And, yes, it's staying on my mantle.  Jacob, what would I do without your humor?

December 4th Treasure

 Who remembers Home Interior parties?  My mom, aunts, cousins, and I seemed to go to these parties at least once a month.  During my teen years, my mom bought this nativity set from Home Interior, and she put it aside for me.  I didn't think much of it at the time, but I'm so thankful now that she did.  It's a beautiful nativity set.  It reminds me of all the girl time we relatives spent together.  Most importantly, it represents the true meaning of Christmas.  Thanks, Mom!

December 3rd Treasure

 Bells.  There's something about the sound of bells that I love.  Church bells, jingle bells, hand bells, cow bells...they evoke sweet memories.  

Hearing church bells, I'm reminded of traditional churches ringing their bells for services, for celebrations, even for warnings. Steeples looming high in the sky are not only architecturally breathtaking, but also very functional.  I miss hearing church bells.  They were much more commonplace in Europe when we lived there; I wonder if they still are used? 

Walking through European villages, Jamie and I would often hear the bells ringing from not only the churches, but also the cows on the hills.  It was as if we were in a story like Heidi, or The Sound of Music....Alpine experiences that I'll never forget.

A fun childhood memory involving jingle bells, though, is a favorite to tell.  When I was little, "Santa's" sleigh bells would often be heard outside our home during the month of December.  I would lie in bed at night, hear the jingle bells, and shut my eyes as tight as possible, so Santa would think I was asleep.  Well, one year I realized it wasn't actually Santa.  Boy, was my dad surprised when I asked him about it at dinner one night.  For once, I think he was speechless! 😂

Now, I decorate with bells at Christmas, treasuring those sweet memories.

December 2nd Treasure

 I look at this box of movies and smile.  The smile is the result of so many memories of watching these movies, over and over and over again, with my family.  

Some of the movies date back to when I was a child.  Back then, the only way my parents, brothers, and I watched them was to wait with anticipation for the Sunday newspaper, which would list all of the dates, times, and T.V. channels for the holiday specials...Charlie Brown, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph. We couldn't just pop the DVD in any time we wished!  LOL...I think I'm sounding like an old person telling a "...back when I was young..." story!

Other movies, like The Nativity, Elf, White Christmas, and The Polar Express, have become favorites and traditions for our kids, Jamie, and me. Now we do have the option of watching them when we choose, which has made for some wonderful traditions.

As our movies play on the screen, I can't help but sit back and watch my family gathered together...warm, safe, healthy.  What a gift.  I truly treasure these times, knowing some day I won't have my kids at home.  With Amarin already out of the house, it's even more real.  But for now, I ponder the joy of these moments.

December 1st Treasure

 This year I have decided to highlight a few Christmas decorations that make me smile.  Not that most readers really care, but it's a special memory for me to pass on to my kids. So, without further ado, I give you the first...the Advent calendar filled with chocolates.  This makes me smile for several reasons.  First, it reminds me of my childhood.  My mom would hang my calendar on the wall with a small nail.  It would always hang in the same spot in the kitchen just behind my dad's chair at the kitchen table, on red and gold, plaid, rough-textured wallpaper.  😏 My kids enjoy these calendars now, too, especially from Aldi.  We became fans of the Aldi calendars when Jamie, Jacob, and I lived in Germany.  Day 1, complete!