Family, Friends and the Wee Ones

I have found that family, friends and/or children are the common denominator of my most cherished Christmas memories. Cookie baking is just a chore, but when you do it with grandchildren, it becomes a hilariously messy, wonderful memory for them, and for me! Shopping alone feels, well, lonely - but shopping with a friend is a happy event that usually involves laughing and sharing a meal together. Wrapping presents is tedious, mundane work, unless I can get my husband in on it with me, while we watch You've Got Mail for the 67th time. Then it's a wonderful holiday evening.

I totally agree with the Whos down in Who-ville. If Christmas comes with no cookies, no shopping, no ribbons and no tags! If it comes without packages, boxes or bags...we'll still enjoy Christmas, if we have each other. Little ones and spending time doing Christmassy things with those we hold most dear, make the season extraordinary.

Cherished memories:
-Making Christmas cookies with my mom, when I was younger - and making Christmas cookies with my grandchildren last year.
-Inviting Christmas caroler friends in for cookies and hot cocoa.
-Playing euchre with my siblings during the wee hours or the morning, laughing til I cried and making entirely too much noise.
-Going to grandma's house and wondering if Santa would know I was sleeping there Christmas eve.
-Taking the kids out to chop down a too-short, too-fat tree in order that we could surprise their father. (Thankfully, later that week he went and picked out a more acceptable one!)
-Having too many friends and family members gloriously crammed into my living and dining room for Christmas eve dinner.
-Singing worship songs with my parents, brothers, sister, nieces and nephews.
-Listening to my father-in-law share a Christmas devotional before anyone could touch the presents.
-And as I sit here next to my husband by the warm crackling fire writing about cherished memories, it occurs to me, here we are in yet another lovely Christmas moment.

Celebrate Jesus with the ones you love. The most special memories always have the most special people in them.