We began our evening activities at Tice Cemetery. I know, it probably sounds a bit strange that we would choose to be at a cemetery on Christmas Eve, but it really is a special time. Folks come together to light a luminary candle on each grave in the cemetery, this is quite a sight to behold. Then we have a little service including a brief sermon by a local pastor, songs, and prayer. It's an opportunity for us all to remember those whom we love who have passed on and a beautiful reminder that they (and we all) have hope for eternal life in Christ if we believe. What better time of year to remember what Christ brings to all those who believe? I had the honor of singing O Holy Night this year, which was particularly precious to me since losing my dad. That was followed by a horse drawn carriage ride to Steven's mom and dad's church for a candlelight Christmas Eve service. It was a perfect ending to Christmas Eve night and introduction to Christmas day. Meredith and Berkley were absolutely pooped tonight, but I think they're pretty excited about celebrating Jesus' birthday tomorrow and seeing what kind of surprises will be waiting for them in the morning.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Eve 2011
Woo, I'm tired. It's been a busy day indeed, but it's been filled with wonderful family and friends. We celebrated Christmas with Steven's mom's family, Pen-Pen today. We have so much fun at Pen-Pen's house each year playing a gift swap game as well as trying to find a pickle ornament that Pen-Pen hides which is wrapped with $10. Sadly, we didn't find the pickle this year, but my 7 year old niece was mighty thrilled when she found it. We love these simple traditions that make our brief time together so memorable year after year. Berkley and Meredith worked hard playing with their older cousin Emma; the three of them must have run around the living room a few hundred times and they never seemed to tire out. A highlight of our time today was Steven's dad bringing his horses to Pen-Pen's. We all loaded up and went riding around the neighborhood wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. It was awesome!
We began our evening activities at Tice Cemetery. I know, it probably sounds a bit strange that we would choose to be at a cemetery on Christmas Eve, but it really is a special time. Folks come together to light a luminary candle on each grave in the cemetery, this is quite a sight to behold. Then we have a little service including a brief sermon by a local pastor, songs, and prayer. It's an opportunity for us all to remember those whom we love who have passed on and a beautiful reminder that they (and we all) have hope for eternal life in Christ if we believe. What better time of year to remember what Christ brings to all those who believe? I had the honor of singing O Holy Night this year, which was particularly precious to me since losing my dad. That was followed by a horse drawn carriage ride to Steven's mom and dad's church for a candlelight Christmas Eve service. It was a perfect ending to Christmas Eve night and introduction to Christmas day. Meredith and Berkley were absolutely pooped tonight, but I think they're pretty excited about celebrating Jesus' birthday tomorrow and seeing what kind of surprises will be waiting for them in the morning.
We began our evening activities at Tice Cemetery. I know, it probably sounds a bit strange that we would choose to be at a cemetery on Christmas Eve, but it really is a special time. Folks come together to light a luminary candle on each grave in the cemetery, this is quite a sight to behold. Then we have a little service including a brief sermon by a local pastor, songs, and prayer. It's an opportunity for us all to remember those whom we love who have passed on and a beautiful reminder that they (and we all) have hope for eternal life in Christ if we believe. What better time of year to remember what Christ brings to all those who believe? I had the honor of singing O Holy Night this year, which was particularly precious to me since losing my dad. That was followed by a horse drawn carriage ride to Steven's mom and dad's church for a candlelight Christmas Eve service. It was a perfect ending to Christmas Eve night and introduction to Christmas day. Meredith and Berkley were absolutely pooped tonight, but I think they're pretty excited about celebrating Jesus' birthday tomorrow and seeing what kind of surprises will be waiting for them in the morning.
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