Firstly thanks for coming back to my blog this time we are focusing on Christmas.
What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?
Although we don’t always get a white Christmas, that’s what I think of when I think of Christmas day here in Northern Virginia. I am NOT a cold-weather gal, but I do love the quiet elegance of that blanket of snow, a warm fire, and family time together.
2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?
My son and I started a tradition when he was very young, and we continue it today, even though he’s a teen now. Usually I get him several individual gifts, rather than a big blowout gift. On Christmas morning when he gets up, I hand him a clue, which I’ve written as a silly little rhyme. He solves the clue to find his first gift and the next clue. He travels all over the house solving clues and collecting gifts. I love stretching it out like that.
3. Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?
“O Holy Night” has been my favorite Christmas carol for years. When I had more free time, I used to sing on my church’s worship team. We were a small team, so often I was the only one harmonizing. The harmony on “O Holy Night” is lovely and dramatic. I fell in love with the emotion and worship of the line, “fall on your knees,” when the harmonies kick in. Wonderful. Makes me want to cry just thinking of it. (Jenny here I love this song also)
4. If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?
There are so many family members who are no longer with us. For me they evoke the innocent joy of Christmas gatherings from my childhood. I would love to be able to celebrate Christmas with those loved ones again. Maybe in Heaven . . .
5. Do you have any special memories of Christmas?
A very special Christmas was when I was six. My nine-year-old sister was allowed to come home from the hospital to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with us. She had physical struggles all her life, and about a month before Christmas they amputated one of her legs. But the hospital went to great lengths to keep her from having to spend Christmas in the hospital. My siblings and I were thrilled. My sister passed away 22 years ago, and that Christmas will always stick in my mind as one of my most cherished memories.
6. What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.
Christmas Eve is different every year for me. I’ve spent it singing at church services, going out to dinner with family, and just getting cozy at home with a fun movie. But on Christmas Day all of my family members traditionally gather for a relaxed afternoon of snacking on hors d’oeuvres, opening presents, and enjoying a big afternoon meal. At my age I’m blessed that so much of my family is still able to gather in one place.
And I’m always surprised when I settle back in at home afterward and decide I actually want to eat dinner. Crazy!
7. Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?
I hate to be trite, but the message in It’s a Wonderful Life would be relevant regardless of the Christmas setting. As a Christian I love the idea of impressing upon everyone that no life is disposable, that we may not always know how we touch the lives of others, but we do. We were each put here for a purpose. Capra did a lovely job of showing that in this film, and I enjoy it every time I see it.
8. Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?
I pray that all of your readers will find blessings in whatever their circumstances are this Christmas. I hope they are all vividly aware of how much they are loved. We’re all recipients of the only Christmas gift that really matters—how great is that?
What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?
Although we don’t always get a white Christmas, that’s what I think of when I think of Christmas day here in Northern Virginia. I am NOT a cold-weather gal, but I do love the quiet elegance of that blanket of snow, a warm fire, and family time together.
2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?
My son and I started a tradition when he was very young, and we continue it today, even though he’s a teen now. Usually I get him several individual gifts, rather than a big blowout gift. On Christmas morning when he gets up, I hand him a clue, which I’ve written as a silly little rhyme. He solves the clue to find his first gift and the next clue. He travels all over the house solving clues and collecting gifts. I love stretching it out like that.
3. Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?
“O Holy Night” has been my favorite Christmas carol for years. When I had more free time, I used to sing on my church’s worship team. We were a small team, so often I was the only one harmonizing. The harmony on “O Holy Night” is lovely and dramatic. I fell in love with the emotion and worship of the line, “fall on your knees,” when the harmonies kick in. Wonderful. Makes me want to cry just thinking of it. (Jenny here I love this song also)
4. If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?
There are so many family members who are no longer with us. For me they evoke the innocent joy of Christmas gatherings from my childhood. I would love to be able to celebrate Christmas with those loved ones again. Maybe in Heaven . . .
5. Do you have any special memories of Christmas?
A very special Christmas was when I was six. My nine-year-old sister was allowed to come home from the hospital to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with us. She had physical struggles all her life, and about a month before Christmas they amputated one of her legs. But the hospital went to great lengths to keep her from having to spend Christmas in the hospital. My siblings and I were thrilled. My sister passed away 22 years ago, and that Christmas will always stick in my mind as one of my most cherished memories.
6. What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.
Christmas Eve is different every year for me. I’ve spent it singing at church services, going out to dinner with family, and just getting cozy at home with a fun movie. But on Christmas Day all of my family members traditionally gather for a relaxed afternoon of snacking on hors d’oeuvres, opening presents, and enjoying a big afternoon meal. At my age I’m blessed that so much of my family is still able to gather in one place.
And I’m always surprised when I settle back in at home afterward and decide I actually want to eat dinner. Crazy!
7. Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?
I hate to be trite, but the message in It’s a Wonderful Life would be relevant regardless of the Christmas setting. As a Christian I love the idea of impressing upon everyone that no life is disposable, that we may not always know how we touch the lives of others, but we do. We were each put here for a purpose. Capra did a lovely job of showing that in this film, and I enjoy it every time I see it.
8. Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?
I pray that all of your readers will find blessings in whatever their circumstances are this Christmas. I hope they are all vividly aware of how much they are loved. We’re all recipients of the only Christmas gift that really matters—how great is that?
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1 comment:
We have a very large family. We used to almost all be together at Christmas, but now that the grandkids are nearly all grown it's hard to get everyone together. I'm excited this year because some of the great grandbabies are old enough to know what's going on.
When my seven children were young, one of our traditions was to read a Christmas poem called Annie and Willie's Prayer. It's a tear jerker with a happy ending. It was in the book Best Loved Poems of the American People.
I'm happy to know that some of my children have continued the tradition with their children.
Frances Devine
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