~~~
There would be no Christmas Day without the birth of Jesus Christ it is just that simple. Christmas is the celebration of the coming of a little baby boy born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. He was conceived by the spirit of the God in a woman who was a virgin. It is a lot to take in but it is part of the foundation of the Christian faith; the second part is the death of Jesus of Nazareth but that is a different holy day, today the focus is Christmas.
I awoke this morning, which is Christmas Eve to the sounds of a Catholic mass half way around the world broadcasted from London, England; yes, I slept in quite late this morning. The mass started with explanation of the prophecy surrounding the future coming of the savoir and then explained the situation around his birth. Today is one of my favorite days but not merely because of the anticipation of Christmas; it is because of midnight mass. I am a member of a missionary Baptist church but my husband is Catholic. Prior to our marriage 19 years ago we began attending midnight mass at his parish in Chicago, Illinois; we carried the tradition to Columbia, South Carolina.
It is a wondrous feeling singing Christmas carols and remembering the humble birth of Jesus Christ. My church also has a service each Christmas and this year since it falls on Sunday, so will most churches. There is so much hustle and bustle around this season; people quite simply seem to forget the reason for the season. Sure there is the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah but I am Christian and therefore celebrate Christmas in all of its glory. However, I am certain the same commercialism surrounds Hanukkah.
Last year my family and I decided that we would not put up a Christmas tree, I don’t quite know exactly where the Christmas tree tradition began. I suppose I could easily find out but I would prefer to put up a nativity scene going forward because I don’t recall ever hearing about Jesus being born under a pine tree and wrapped in red and green tissue paper. Now don’t get me wrong I love the beauty of Christmas trees with beautiful ornaments and the smell of a live tree is amazing, however, I have decided to put a little more focus on the Christmas day foundation. There will also be the exchanging of a few gifts among family & friends just not all the fuss surrounding getting gifts for co-workers and everyone else I come in contact with on a daily basis.
In addition to attending midnight mass, I enjoy cooking a nice Christmas dinner. This year my husband works Christmas evening, so dinner will be prepared today on Christmas Eve. A few years ago my mom and I started a new tradition because our immediate family was small and consisted of only four people. My mom would make her very delicious spaghetti and meatballs from scratch and I would make green bean casserole with peach cobbler for dessert. Now this year it is only my husband and I so I have shifted the tradition to include more Christmastime themed food. This year will be a pot roast with mushrooms & onions; macaroni & cheese; green bean casserole; brussel sprouts with bacon; and wheat yeast rolls with brownies for dessert.
This year I was forced to face the reality that traditions do change as the faces around us change. Our plans in life do not always go as we would desire but when we have people around us that love us it makes the Christmas holiday just as happy as past years. Also remembering previous years filled with joyful moments makes current times just as joy filled. I must admit this Christmas is a little tough for me but I remember that God gave me the best gift of all when he sent his son Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Finally, PaisleyPerspective wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas filled with peace and love; and I leave you with a video and lyrics for one of my favorite Christmas songs, “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child”.
Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child
Lyrics by: Margaret Allison
~
Jesus, Jesus
Oh what wonderful child
Jesus, Jesus
So lowly meek and mild
New life, new hope joy He brings
Won’t you listen to the angels sing
Glory, glory, glory
To the new born King
~
Jesus, Jesus
Oh what a wonderful child
Jesus, Jesus
So lowly meek and mild
New life, new hope, new joy He brings
Won’t you listen to the angels sing
Glory, glory, glory
To the new born King
~
He was herald by the angels
Born in a lowly manger
The Virgin Mary was His mother
And Joseph was his earthly father
Three wise men came from afar
They were guided by a shining star
To see King Jesus where He lay
In a manger filled with hay
~
Jesus, Jesus
Oh what a wonderful child
Jesus, Jesus
So lowly meek and mild
Oh new life, new hope, new joy He brings
Won’t you listen to the angels sing
Glory
To the new born King
~
Oh Jesus
Jesus
Mary’s baby boy
Lamb of God
Heavenly Child
Jesus
Jesus
I Love Him
Oh Jesus
All Mighty God
King of kings
Oh Jesus
Oh Jesus
Oh, oh, oh, Jesus
Wonderful, wonderful one
Oh, oh
Oh Jesus
Oh Jesus
Son of God
Oh Jesus
Glory…
To the new born King, yeah…
~~~
PaisleyPerspective 