Christmas time is here!!
The weekend before Christmas, my family gathers together to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday at my mom and step-dad’s home. I get giddy! My calendar is cleared. It’s time to have a Holly Jolly Christmas indeed! Why? Well, h-e-l-l-o…my family is all together!
The Friday night before, we’ve made it an annual event for all my parents and siblings to begin the weekend at our home. This year, Tim’s mouth-watering gumbo, my chili, and my sister-in-law’s delicious Spanish bean soup was served.
The Florida weather had already lost its brief wintry weather spell, but there was still enough chill in the air to light a fire for all to gather around.
My man!
Stories from the past were told (My husband heard about former “wishful” boyfriends that I just knew I could marry…you know, girls…you used to write your name with a boy’s last name in junior high too…Stephanie Purvis, Stephanie Thompson, Stephanie ______…but God gave me the right man!), Christmas music was bellowing through the night’s sky, and laugh and love were spread all around. I love, love, love my family time!
Saturday was full of more scrumptious food, family fun, and gift-giving time as about forty of us (Parker/Bassett) crew assembled at our folks’ home. Between my mom having four children, and my step-dad having four children, with all of us married, with children, and now children having children…we had a house bursting with good peeps. It’s always a tradition for a grandchild to read the real Christmas story from Luke chapter 2, but since all have had their opportunity, and the great grands aren’t quite old enough yet to read (next year), the “wisest” child had their turn (You are a wise one, Julie.)
Julie, “the wise one”, reading Luke 2.
The weekend wasn’t long enough before my two Georgia brothers had to travel back to their homes.
But, my family didn’t end our Holly Jolly Christmas time. After church on Sunday, we piled into the car and headed to the town of Celebration (in Kissimmee, FL). We stopped at four different eateries for appetizers, dinner, and dessert (just spreading the food love), watched folks enjoy carriage and hayrides, stood in the streets while “snow” (okay, foam) fell from the sky (okay, boxes on posts), stopped and listened to Old Century dressed carolers, and even got to wish Santa and Mrs. Claus a Merry Christmas.
Yes, Christmas time is here.
Here are a few tips as you go about your week before Christmas:
- Cherish the memories of Christmas’ past, with the loved ones who have gone on to celebrate Jesus’ birthday WITH Him.
- Take time to clear your calendar for the ones you love the most.
- Take a breath while you are possibly standing in lines and dealing with traffic.
- Volunteer
- Give a smile and wish others a Merry Christmas (not Happy Holidays).
- Enjoy your favorite Christmas movies, and snuggle up while watching those predictable, yet happy, Hallmark movies.
- If you live where I live…turn up the air, and pretend it’s cold outside, while sipping a cup of hot chocolate or tea or apple cider
- Don’t overspend. Stay within or below your means. (We probably have all we need anyhow.)
- Read Luke 2 and treasure the real reason for this season, JESUS.
- Be kind and compassionate to those who have loved ones fighting for our country and are unable to be with them this time of year, and for those who have recently lost loved ones.
- Enjoy soaking up The Son wherever you are…on an island in the sun, in a cabin in the wintery white woods, in a downtown loft, or cruising on a ship for a vacation…take time to Be Still with your Heavenly Daddy, and thank Him for His Son.
Many Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Celebrating Christmas at Celebration.
Hunter, Holly, me, Cole, and Tim. (photo creds to Beau)