December 25, 2020
This year has been one for the books. Full of loss and despair. We lost our Uncle Wayne, Uncle Willis, Aunt Joyce and dear friend Bobby Love this year.There has been fear and sickness, even in our own family. Change and loss of "normal". Relationships failed and relationships blossomed. But, through it all, God has been with us and remains with us.
Christmas 2020 was different and slightly disappointing, since we couldn't celebrate with most of our family due to the fear of Covid and our government. But, we made the most of it. And I must say we did a pretty darn good job at it.
This morning we woke up late, the kids actually allowed us to sleep in. But, when we awoke the porches and ground was covered in about 6 inches of snow. A white Christmas!
In addition to opening our gifts, we read the Christmas story and sang a Christmas hymn.
''Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem." Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"
Part of my gift to the family was Chemex coffee maker, burr grinder, local roasted coffee beans, etc. So this morning we attempted to make the best cup of coffee we had ever made. We ground, weighted and timed our coffee and was successful in making the freshest, best coffee we had ever had.
For breakfast, we had cheesy grits and sausage links, topped with pico de gallo and guacamole.
Then Grandma and Papaw came by to deliver our gifts and goodies. Grandma brought fruit pizza stars, rum cake, candied pecans, and fudge.
In the afternoon we had homemade eggnog punch, a recipe Aunt Rhonda usually makes at our annual Hughes-a-Palooza. We indulged in all our Christmas goodies. There was of course the goodies that Grandma brought, but we also had Mamaw's prune cake, chocolate shortbread cookies, haystacks, and gingerbread cookies.
After eating all that sugar, Haven, Heidi and I decided to take a walk in the snow. On the top of the hill we sang to hearts content, songs of Christmas. We started off with "Good King Wenceslas".
"Good King Wenceslas looked out On the Feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even Brightly shone the moon that night Though the frost was cruel When a poor man came in sight Gathering winter fuel...
In his masters step he trod Where the snow lay dinted Heat was in the very sod Which the Saint had printed Therefore, Christian men, be sure Wealth or rank possessing Ye, who now will bless the poor Shall yourselves find blessing. "
We stopped and listened to the quiet. We looked over the hills and watched the falling snow. Then we began to walk home, and as we walked we sang...
"O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. "
For our Christmas dinner we enjoyed T-bone steaks from one of our cows at Bellflower Farms, creamed and seasoned mashed potatoes, homemade caesar salad, and a french wine, actually one of the best that can be had. In candlelight we feasted and listened to the radio version of "It's a Wonderful Life".
It's been a wonderful day full of simple, but yet at the same time extraordinary pleasures. I hope you had a wonderful day too, because no matter our circumstances, Christ is on His throne and there is much to be celebrated.
As I write this I am listening to Dolly Parton's song Circle of Love...
"Circle of love Halo of light When Jesus was born On that Christmas night And oh, what a night That holy night was When Bethlehem glowed In a circle of love God sent his son His great gift to us Salvation for all He loved us that much We honor and praise That gift from above He holds all of us In a circle of love... So Jesus was born Wore a crown of thorns And gave it all up Just to save us Circle of love Halo of light When Jesus was born On that Christmas night And oh, what a night That holy night was When Bethlehem glowed In a circle of love"
I hope you all had a merry, joyful Christmas.
And, now it's time for me to go watch my favorite holiday film "Meet Me In St. Louis"
