Christmas is the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth with family. We give each other gifts and eat way too much food. So what do you do when you’re family is on the other side of the world and there’s a 16 hour time difference? This year I had Christmas in Nashville Tennessee! My friend, Sandy from Los Angeles (in the pic) came to celebrate with us. Both of her daughters are in Australia! Christmas Eve we went to my church where Michael W Smith lead us in some Carols and the preschoolers stole the show singing/giggling though ‘Away in a manger’. We then went home and prepared some Lamingtons… trifle…
One of the most amazing things today is the ability to check in with family via skype (with the webcam) and feel like you’re sitting in the lounge room with everyone. So my Christmas eve, their Christmas afternoon – I got to see my three nieces cram their heads in front of the computer screen to excitedly tell me they got a real pony for Christmas! And then see them all open gifts I’d sent them! So fun! Even my dad (who still doesn’t know how to turn on a computer!) and my 93 year old grandma came on for a chat! One definitely can’t really complain! Glad I wasn’t just relying on Australia post and snail mail to keep in touch… still haven’t got my Chrissy presents
So today… Christmas day, Brett and Naarah from Alabaster Box
and Sandy and I gave each other gifts and ate amazing roast lamb, ham, veges, sticky date pudding… Brett and Naarah’s little boy enjoyed his first Christmas and definitely stole the show. He’s such a cheeky little monkey. He refused to impress us by leaving on the Santa hat his grandma sent him! That was not gonna happen!
It’s fun hearing stories how different people celebrate Christmas and how the traditions differ from country to country… family to family. I don’t feel like my family had any super crazy traditions… just church 8am in the morning… come home and get the roast on then wait till the rest of the family arrives to open pressies! And of course you had to have your room clean… So painful… it’s normally like after midday before any gifts are opened!
How bout you? What makes Christmas day special to you? Do you do anything special to honour Jesus seems it’s ‘officially’ a day to remember HIS birthday?
Happy Christmas and may God bless you!
PS… it wasn’t as hot as Australia in Tennessee today… but it sure wasn’t anywhere near snowing
26. December 2008 at 12:04 am
Glad to hear that despite being on the other side of the world from your family that you still had an amazing Christmas! It certainly is different isn’t it!?
We haven’t had Christmas in our house yet. Waiting until next week when my father, brother, his girl, and my nephew show up. Then it’ll be the first Christmas in… years – since we’ve all been together.
Regarding traditions… growing up it was always (1) dig out the stockings, (2) open gifts, (3) clean up, and (4) head to my grandparents for lunch. Things have changed since we’re all “grown up”. Ha ha ha!
It’s amazing though, isn’t it, that in the hustle and bustle of Christmas that we oftentimes forget about the real reason we celebrate. All the gifts, decorations, and scrumptious food – but Jesus isn’t invited. I pray we all take the time to invite Him in.
I hope you continue to have a great Christmas season! And keep pressing into God!
Be blessed!
27. December 2008 at 7:17 pm
Sandy here…it’s been a wonderful Christmas here in Nashville!! We’ve had some amazing food, fun, laughs and cuts…and looking forward to seeing the city tomorrow and Franklin on Monday with my best friend Cindy from Indiana I love this state!!
Happy New Year my friend!!