Christmas Eve

[lizziebelle]

When I was growing up, I loved Christmas Eve as much as Christmas morning. In some ways, even more. We had our yearly rituals of getting out all the votive holders and lining them up on the mantel, and decorating the tree. Midnight mass, and when we were younger, the earlier service as well. My sister and I were in the choir. My favorite part was when the whole congregation lit their candles, they turned out the lights, and we sang "Silent Night" a capella. One year, I think it was when I was a senior in high school, it snowed while we were in church, and everyone oohed when they opened the doors.

When we were all grown up, we'd have a cheese-and-cracker platter with sparkling wine while we decorated the tree. Dad always played his Christmas tape that he put together from his favorite selections, complete with the record skip on one song.

While Christmas is no longer a religious holiday for me, we still get together and celebrate. It's really more of a secular, family holiday these days, anyway. Many of the traditions we follow have nothing to do with Christianity, and more to do with celebrating family and light. And that's OK with me.

If you celebrate, I hope your holiday is filled with love and light. And even if you don't, I wish you all a happy, healthy, prosperous year to come. Merry happy!

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

Happy Holidays! Hope yours are magical and bright!

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you, hon! You too!