This was such a fabulous Christmas for me! Truly a season, not a day...It began with an early trip to Milwaukee to see my friends and family. We celebrated an early Christmas together, which was filled with everything I love: my nephews and other family, good food, silliness, games, laughter, and quality time with friends. A real blessing. And once I left, I felt like the busyness of the gift-giving, make-the-rounds-to-the-family part of Christmas was over so that I could just ready myself for worshipping the coming of the Christ child, God with us.
And that's truly what I felt, that God was with me! Trinity's 4 Christmas Eve services were wonderful. Especially the children-friendly "stations of the manger" service we did with 
various characters of the Christmas story in costume as they told the story to traveling "shepherds" played by every child in the congregation. And then seeing 1000 people between the 4 and 5:30pm services was neat. After the services I was invited to the Hulden family's home for dinner, which was very sweet. (And delicious.) But my favorite part of Christmas Eve was the late service at 11pm, which finished in peaceful, candlelight after midnight, whereupon Pr John leaned over to me and whispered "Happy birthday!"
various characters of the Christmas story in costume as they told the story to traveling "shepherds" played by every child in the congregation. And then seeing 1000 people between the 4 and 5:30pm services was neat. After the services I was invited to the Hulden family's home for dinner, which was very sweet. (And delicious.) But my favorite part of Christmas Eve was the late service at 11pm, which finished in peaceful, candlelight after midnight, whereupon Pr John leaned over to me and whispered "Happy birthday!" On walking home that night, I experienced profound peace and joy. The sky wasn't pitch black, but rather a twilight-y sort of mystical color. And as the snow started falling gently, I looked around and thought, "yes, God is here." Happy birthday to me, indeed!
Christmas morning was quiet, with a lovely worship service. It was followed by a delicious lunch with friends, a much-deserved nap!, and then games, drinks, and birthday cheesecake at my house to round off the day.
After worship the following day, I got on the road and made my way to the home of my best friend's family, where I spent the next two days eating, relaxing, and playing, and feeling as though I really was experiencing the truth of "family Christmas!"
Finally back at home after it all, I felt more content than I have in a long time! There's something special about being surrounded by people who love you at the holidays... :-)
