{the camera wasn’t picked up much and when it was the lighting was horrible…but I still wanted to share}
We all have little traditions that just make special days….special.
I didn’t grow up with a mom that stressed out about Christmas. She didn’t run us everywhere and didn’t feel like she had to spend money she didn’t have.
A lot of our time was spent at home.
I definitely remember the excitement of pulling all the decorations out of the attic on Thanksgiving evening.
I couldn’t wait to decorate the tree and to see gifts appear under the branches.
My mom was happy to have me take over because it didn’t matter to her how things were put together or decorated. Lucky me.
Christmas was Christ.
Sure, we got presents and ate too much sugar but we knew…really knew….why were were celebrating.
Christmas Eve was church, opening one special gift, reading the nativity story and singing carols.
Christmas Eve is my favorite part of the season.
It brings it all full circle and makes it so real.
I love being surrounded by others singing about the birth of Christ.
It takes my breath away to think about the night sky full of angels declaring the birth of a king.
The whole sky.
Can you even imagine?
I love coming home and spending time with family.
Eating good food, talking and laughing.
I love the excitement the children have waiting to open their few special gifts.
My children get the same gifts each Christmas Eve so their excitement over new pajamas and book is pretty sweet.
One of the sweetest of gifts is that two of my three children play the piano beautifully.
It is the nicest way to end the evening singing carols with my own children providing the music.
(One of these days I WILL learn the guitar and play along with them)
Mom, thank you for all you poured into us.
Thank you for the attention to what truly matters.
The traditions that we are passing on to our children come from you.
The kids were so excited that they wanted to all sleep together in the same room.
They all had agreed that whomever woke up first had to wake everyone else up.
We were lucky….our children didn’t wake us up until 7am.
My sister’s children woke them up at 2:30am……but Christmas day is for another post.
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11 more days until Creatively Made {rediscovering the beauty of your gifts} begins!
I am soooo excited.
We still have so much work to do but I am giddy as I am doing it.
I can’t wait for you to see all the videos, guest videos, art projects etc.
You can see a quick video below.
Creatively Made E-Course from Jeanne Oliver on Vimeo.
Hi Jeanne Thank you for sharing your Faith here and sharing these most precious moments.
Happy creative New Year and “Using the talents He gave you!”
Christ our Lord!
haha, ben’s bum.=) i enjoy, too, everything you shared. thankful for all those who keep this time simple, sweet, and meaningful. love you.
Christmas eve is one of my favorites too Jeanne ~ going to church ~ lighting the candles and singing ~ I always get emotional! Growing up with always got new pj’s to wear to bed ~ love to hear that this tradition happens in other families as well. Happy New Year!!
I love this, Jeanne! I just love the lighting of the candles on Christmas eve! My sister and I were just commenting on this year that we were reminded of all of the special Christmas Eves at the Brethren Church in MM. As Lori said, I love that you do the Christmas jammies, too;) That is one of our traditions as well and the kids are just as excited each year to see what fun jammies mom has chosen! Many, many blessings to you and your sweet family in the new year!
What a lovely looking & happy family I loved the warmth of your home with your pictures Happy New Year Jeanne & all the best with your E course it sounds like its going to be full of Inspiration I will have to make the time to sign up for one once I get organised for 2012. Wishing you & your family a wonderful year 🙂 x
I LOVE that we share some of the same traditions! And I agree, singing to your children’s playing is one of the BEST gifts, and blessings. We have not done that as a family since Christmas 2004, and it breaks my heart.
Happy New Year!!
such a lovely and heart-warming post…