Friday, December 27, 2013

on Christmas Day in the morning...

Let me give you a wee picture of what happens behind this closed door on Christmas Day...
in the morning.

 

We always do brunch with the family.
Some traditions change from year to year...
but that is one that has remained the same.
We have the very same menu from year to year as well!
I'm not allowed to mess with that...
so I have been told.

Christmas Morning Wife Saver (breakfast casserole)
Fresh Fruit Salad
Croissants


These two were here before the others arrived.


Lucy fetched Baby Jesus from the nativity scene...
and cradled Him for a bit.


Maggie returned Him to His place among the shepherds, wisemen and angels.

My nephew came next.
He lives in our area...
and has no immediate family nearby.
And he is always fun to have.
Just ask the kids!
He decided to don the Santa suit and be the greeter as the rest arrived.


Ooops. 
All pretense was over...
as the beard fell to the floor.
Since when is Santa tall and skinny anyhow?

Once brunch was over and done with...
we moved to the living room.
We could have lingered at the table much longer...
had Lucy not insisted it was time to open the gifts!


Emme read the Christmas story for us...
from the Children's Storybook Bible.


She had everyone's attention...
even the wee ones.



We started a new tradition this year.
The gift-opener sat on the 'gift-opening chair'.
That worked well!


How was it that these two both got the same gift from the one who had their name?
I was glad that the Furby's were not staying at Grammy's house...
especially when I learned that there was no OFF switch. :)


Emme and Spencer will be playing tennis with us this year!


Brendan loves nothing better than a good book!
I'm not sure he was all that impressed with the books he was required to read on Christmas Day.

But he was a very good sport...
and read to Micah and Lucy for well over an hour.


Ranen and Maggie changed into their new jammies...
and nibbled at chocolate monograms they found in their stockings.



And before we parted ways on Christmas Day...
Ranen played some carols for us on her violin.

And she played one of my favorite old German carols...

Oh, come, little children, oh, come, one and all,
To Bethlehem’s stable, in Bethlehem’s stall.
And see with rejoicing this glorious sight,
Our Father in heaven has sent us this night.

As she played...
the words ran through my mind in German...
like I learned them so long ago.

Ihr Kinderlein, kommet, o kommet doch all!
Zur Krippe her kommet in Bethlehems Stall
und seht, was in dieser hochheiligen Nacht
der Vater im Himmel für Freude uns macht!

And that was Christmas 2013...
behind the closed door.

There was laughter and joy...
good times, good food and good gifts.

But there was also sadness...
as we acknowledge that in a family there are difficult times.

Even at Christmas!

19 comments:

  1. I love O come Little Children and can mostly sing it in Russian, too.
    So many sweet photos. Love the one of Lucy cradling Baby Jesus...
    Love to you and all of yours...

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  2. I remember singing O Come Little Children in German. My sister and I learned it for my grandfather, and we sang it in the East Aldergrove church one Christmas Eve. Oh, the memories.

    What a lovely family gathering - more memories made.

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  3. It sounds like a Christmas day to remember.
    Many years ago when Furby first appeared, our grandaughter brought one to France for Christmas. I'm afraid we had to put it in a dark cupboard as it drove us mad!

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  4. I love that German carol, the words ingrained in my memory form childhood. So thankful for God's gift to us . . . Immanuel - God with us - always!

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  5. Such nice family traditions being made behind the closed door. How lovely to see the different ways the grands contributed to the joy of the celebration. All of your photos are wonderful, Judy.
    It would be easy to imagine all was perfect behind that closed door, however sadness is often hiding in amongst the gladness. So sorry to hear that this is the case for your family this year.

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  6. Such a beautiful family you have and adorable grandchildren. I'm sorry for your sadness this year. But, you can relish in the gladness of the little ones and the joy that they bring. Blessings. Pam

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  7. Sounds like a wonderful day! We enjoyed brunch at our house this year on the 26th. Then headed outside to skate on the pond and had some rides behind the quad in the sled meant for the ski doo ( didn't get my Christmas wish of lots of snow! :( It is fun to get together! and celebrate the season!

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  8. How very beautiful!! Lovely family and lovely traditions!! How special!

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  9. The children's faces shine with the joy of Christmas morning. Life is messy at the best of times. Love to you all and a calmer, brighter 2014!

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  10. Thanks for opening up your front door.....blessing to you and your family. Your little ones are all adorable, and the twins are young ladies. I like all the reading that happened at your home....those are special times.

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  11. Dearest Judy - I am finally "catching up" reading my fav blogs. We too had the same brunch menu for Boxing Day. Your grands are so adorable and your love for them shines through these beautiful pictures. As Vee said "life is messy" and my thoughts and prayers are for you and your loved ones as a brand new year approaches. Hugs ......

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  12. Hi ~ I'm visiting from Linda's Life Journal. I so enjoyed your profile and your beautiful pictures. I see from your profile you enjoy your grandchildren, your faith and your home is lovely. What a nice family. I'm so glad I dropped by.

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  13. Stepping into life behind closed doors, is most certainly a special privilege. I enjoyed that from you today. I like traditions that continue year after year. I like when music is a part of them. I like the new idea of the "gift chair". Your pictures reflect moments of joy as they share in the celebrations. I think though, that you may have shared the truth of many of the celebrations this year, that there is sadness amidst the joy. Thank you for sharing your heart and your day with us. You two are special
    grandparents!

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  14. Merry Christmas and may the new year be an adventure!!!
    She's just around the corner.
    Blessings,
    d

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  15. One of my favourite Christmas memories is "Ihr Kinderlein Kommet" Thanks for the reminder of that old Carol. Sadly, I don't think I heard it once this year. Blessings on your family even through the difficult times. We are walking through them with you.

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  16. Your family traditions are very beautiful, as are your grandchildren, Judy. You give your family the gifts of love and stability and memories they will cherish forever. May the sad times be few in the coming new year {{hugs}}

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  17. Christmas behind that closed door looks wonderful - filled with the love of family. I wish you a new year filled with comfort, joy and peace.♥

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  18. I can tell by the expressions on the children's faces that your home is a place of peace and love!

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  19. Lovely post!! I do not have a munchkin to play that carol on her violin, but it is one of my favorites as well! I do know it in German, so I was singing along with you even though it is two years later :^)
    I am music director in a German Evengelical and Reformed church, so you would feel right at home as we sing Silent Night in German on Christmas Eve.
    Blessings of the season to you and yours....I will now commence reading backward once again :^)
    J

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