First, We sprinkled the reindeer food our friends, the Chipmans gave us. Here's a recipe. The kids left peppermint Joe Joe's and hot cocoa for Santa...lucky man!
Second, we opened one gift...the Christmas pj's. Flannels for Christina, princess nightgowns for the little girls, dino pj's for Bub, and Wes had the coolest pair of USC striped pj's. Mom and dad's were of course from Cotsco:) This was a favorite tradition for both Wayne and I growing up. Wayne's favorite pj gift was his Pat Haden nightshirt (he was #11 for the LA Rams & USC quarterback-I'm dictating:)).
Third, we read from Luke 2. We skipped acting, our scripture/hymn program, puppets, and costumes this year due to the sleepy children, and simply opened up the Bible and read of Christ's birth. Without fail, every year this tradition brings the Spirit of Christ into our humble home.
Finally, we ended our Christmas Eve gathering with a new tradition that MADE my Christmas...we sang "Stille Nacht." My grandfather served his mission in Germany, then my dad served his mission in Frankfurt, his brother served in Hamburg, and finally my grandpa served as a mission president of the Frankfurt Germany mission. Growing up we lived close to my grandparents, and we would visit them on Christmas Day and/or Christmas Eve. I have vivid memories of my grandpa reading Luke 2 as we all quietly listened (a Christmas miracle considering there were 10 kids spanning 16 years). We then sang "Stille Nacht." I can hear my grandpa's deep voice and our family's chorus in my mind. What a JOY it was to teach my children "Stille Nacht" this year! They picked it up quickly at the beginning of the month, so throughout December "Stille Nacht" could be heard at random times day and night in our home. One child would start and by "...heilige nacht" everyone joined in, and this mom was in heaven feeling a link between past and present take place. This is a perfect example of the worth of traditions in my opinion. Traditions don't need to cost a penny, but they should strengthen the family, past and present.
***I rounded up the family {a week later} to sing "Stille Nacht" for all of you, missed notes & all...Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
With love,
The Menzie Family
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6 comments:
I agree, Stille Nacht gives me the warm fuzzies and the Christmas spirit! I teach it every year to the Primary kids and they love it.....and you're right, it's amazing how quickly they learn it!
Love it. What a great thing to capture on video! No tears ( I blubber every time) and no spitting! (I think Grandpa was so glad to be done with our Song Lesson when he taught it to us ;) )
It looks like a warm cozy Christmas-very nice
That's a great video--esp of Thomas looking so 'down to business!' That's nice you captured it for posterity! I agree...great traditions! And I think those madden pj's were the grow as you grow kind like that shirt he had for 15+ years. Ask him.
I love the video! I learned the German words when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade and in the Glee Club. It stuck...I still remember. See, I was destined to join the family, huh?
Your Christmas posts are all so wonderful. It sounds like you had such a wonderful holiday! Thanks for sharing your brilliant & creative ideas.
Love your Christmas blog, Becky and Wayne. You are building wonderful memories for your family!
To this day, "Silent Night" opens the rear ducts, but I know longer apologize!
Thanks for sharing your Christms spirit with us.
Love, Ilene
I loved this. How fun! My girls asked me what my favorite Christmas song was a few days ago and I told them Stille Nacht and now after reading this I feel ashamed I never thought to teach it to them in german. You've inspired me though, and I'm going to.
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