Christmas Eve always feels special to me. Despite all I have learned about the mythical birth narratives of Jesus, and all I have gleaned from other winter traditions and holidays, the little girl in me remembers church bells, Christmas trees, caroling, and opening ONE present the night before Christmas and it all still holds what C.S.Lewis called “the deep magic.”

Christmas Day is pretty quiet at my house. It’s been just the four of us for some years now, and so we have only to please ourselves. Christmas chili is celebratory enough, and after the presents have been opened, there are new books to read, new movies to watch, goodies to eat and drink, walks and naps to take. There will be phone calls made and received to spread the Christmas cheer. We might play a board or card game, or put a puzzle together.

And there will be remembering – of Christmases long past, of loved ones far away or long gone, of special locations and decorations, of feasts and fun, of plans gone wrong and relationships made right.

I know it’s just another day for most of the humans on Earth, but I’ll hang onto the specialness for the little girl in me reaching out for the little child born to bring peace to the world. I sure need some, as do we all!

Merry Christmas, Friends!

Rev. Ruth