Fast forward from Norway, to California, and now to Texas...
The Christmas traditions that began with my mother in Norway are the same in our home each Christmas.
The preparation begins right after Thanksgiving, and plans always include what we can do for someone else, just like you do in your homes. It's such a special time to share, and God always puts the right people in our path or on our hearts.
On Christmas Eve, the whole gang comes to our house. We have a Christmas Eve buffet, with appetizers and tempting dishes of every kind, and lots of yummy desserts! We have 6-1/2 grandkids, and each of the 6 decide which song or scripture to share at our Christmas Eve service in the den of our home. I print a program, and they each take part. Last year our son and his kids built a manger, filled it with hay and the kids all dressed up and acted out the nativity as The Revelation Song played in the background. (Note the staff of the youngest, a last minute empty wrapping paper roll). I love how each of the kids do their best, and participate so sweetly.
One of our sons plays the guitar, so we all join in singing several carols with the candles and tree lights twinkling, and the sound of Christmas filling our hearts. It's one of the best times of my whole year!
We read the Christmas story from Luke, and we thank God together for the miracle and the hope of Jesus, because He was born and came to live and die for us. Miracles of all miracles!
From our home to yours this Christmas... MERRY CHRISTMAS to each one of you. You bless my life every day of the year. We are a whole bunch of kindred spirits and our sweet friendships will continue as another year begins....
May your hearts and homes be filled with HIS peace and joy, during Christmas and every day!
14 comments:
Such a powerful means of evangelizing the next generations. There's nothing like love, tradition, great food, a dose of fun, and a compelling event to leave a lasting (dare I say "eternal"?) impression.
Enjoy every second; and the merriest of CHRISTmases to you!
Kathleen
What a future you are sharing with these grands. Ahhh the memories, the nurturing, the modeling. It's wonderful! (And it looks like fun, too.)
What wonderful traditions that will have an eternal impact on the lives of your sweet grandchildren. A wonderful Christmas is wished to you!
It all sounds wonderful and something that I hope I can do if and when God fills my quiver with grandchildren. My favorite part of this is the little one holding the wrapping paper roll for a staff. Oh, that we could stay children forever.
Merry Christmas, Sonja!
Dear Sonja,
Thanks for presenting us to your lovely family.
Imagine; blessed with 6 1/2 grandchildren and they are brought up to celebrate Christ our Saviour in their home.
I think you have brought further the traditions from your mother and adapted them in a wonderful way to your children and grandchildren.
Neither of them will ever forget the way you are celebrating.
When Christ is living in our homes, he will naturally move into our hearts and follow us wherever we go and whatever we may meet.
These days when society is becoming more and more secular also in Norway, I find it so important to use our homes as a living church for Christ.
I love the nativity scene. It's genuine and deepfelt. Bringing tears to my eyes.
My the spirit of Christ be within you and around you now and forever more.
From felisol
Such a lovely family time. Thank you for sharing Sonja.
What a wonderful tradition and thing to do. This will no doubt be not only a memory they will carry forever, but have such far reaching effects you may never know the full extent of it.
Merry Christmas to you too!!
HUGS!
That is wonderful, thank you for sharing you life with us bloggers, God bless you.
Lovely and it all looks like such a nice way to spend Christmas Eve. Thank you for always blessing my days and always inspiring me. Have a lovely Christmas.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful family traditions. You always inspire me with the things you write about. I hope you and your family have the most wonderful Christmas.
Blessings!
Good evening dearest Sonja!
And a Happy Christmas to you as we all come together to embrace HIS love! Anita
Okay...now if you don't write that book I am going to collect all these posts and put it in a book for myself!
Once again what a precious post and again passing down your Christian heritage...what a blessing for all...and now your grandchildren receive what was started with your parents...and probably started even before that with their great great grandparents....a true heritage
Merry Christmas...sending you hugs from my side of the Metro-Plex
Dear Warrior buddy,
It has been a great pleasure getting to know you this year - and I eagerly look forward to 2012 and all the stories that God has in store for you to share. Yes, kindred spirits we are...
A very Merry CHRISTmas to you and your entire family. Blessings on this most wonderful day of celebration.
Love you, and GOD BLESS!
Beautiful tradition! We enjoyed and continue to enjoy our Christmas readings each night from "Jotham's Journey." Been a very busy, tiring week of come-and-go. Now time to rest in the truth of Bethlehem and listen for the whispers of the Father's heart.
He has so much to say to us. I pray you hear him clearly this week.
peace~elaine
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