Tis the night before Christmas and all is definitely quiet at this house. The stockings hang empty, there are no notes to Santa or cookies left out for him. How the years have changed, and while there is still the gladness of Christmas, there’s also a little sadness at not being surrounded by family.
Even so, there are some things that fill my heart with joy.
There is the candlelight service at St. Paul’s. I can’t imagine a more beautiful place than this church lit by candles and filled with voices singing in unison Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful. As everyone leaves in silence, there is such a feeling of shared peace and gratitude.
With our children creating their own family traditions, Christmas Eve is a quieter time for the hubby and me and is shared more often than not with friends whose now adult children are also not at home. I am very glad for these long time and ongoing relationships.
Before calling it a day, I sit quietly in front of the fireplace remembering my mother, daddy and brother, the absence of whom leaves a hole in my heart. I chuckle over memories of the hubby putting together the toys from Santa, fussing and cussing when he dropped and couldn’t find an all important screw. I remember trying to disguise (hard to do!) my handwriting so the girls wouldn’t guess the note from Santa was really from me! I think of the four of us sitting together, sipping hot chocolate as we read Twas the Night Before Christmas before the girls headed up to bed. I smile remembering their bright eyed excitement as they woke us early Christmas morning urging us to get up to see what Santa had brought.
Yes, much of Christmas is now in the memory bank but not its meaning. It is still a celebration of the birth of Jesus as well as about the magic of believing. I think I hear the sound of reindeers’ tinkling bells coming this way, so I better get to bed and let that jolly old elf do his thing but not before I read one more time Twas the Night Before Christmas!
Good night to all and to all a good night along with wishes for a very merry Christmas.
Lulu's Musings 
Beautiful post. It is a little sad on Christmas Eve after the children leave the nest and start their own traditions. Now I realize how my own parents must have felt but they were still very much a part of our life. I would take the kids to see them earlier in the day on Christmas Eve and then after opening presents on Christmas Day. This year I baked cookies at midnight remembering the past memories. Love your photos. I guess most of us feel the same way and in that it brings a sense of togetherness. Hope you enjoyed the holidays. Happy New Year.
Beautiful post, Lulu. The picture at St. Paul’s is wonderful, and the picture of your parents and brother is very touching. Your family picture reminds me so much of some of the pictures of my parents–before my dad’s Alzheimer’s and my mother’s dementia–so it brings back very happy memories. Thank you.
xoxox
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories on a very special day / night. memories are what make us, us. And now I have all my blogging friends memories to enjoy too! Claire x
You and I were sharing the same sentiments, Life has really changed. Take care!
You always make the best of everything. Now the fun begins taking all the decorations down .
Luckily, I don’t do a lot of decorating these days so the dismantling is not too painful.
Our Christmas for many years was spent with friends. For the last several years though, we’ve spent Christmas at my BIL’s house and Santa comes to see his two grandchildren. We find that fun and it reminds us of our childhood memories, as we haven’t any children of our own.
I would love to know more about Foley’s chocolate cookies when you get a chance. Belated Merry Christmas to you Lulu.
Sam.
Merry Christmas Linda and Phil!
I made the Chocolate Chess Pie from your previous post and took it to our dinner with friends. As you predicted, it was a big hit. All the women and some of the men asked for the recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Oh good, I’m glad to hear others thought it is as good as I do!
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas Linda and Phil. I have so enjoyed your musings over the last year. May the New Year bring you a bounty of health and joy. Love, Lark
Thank you, Lark. I’m so glad to have you along for the ride!
Merry Christmas, Linda. I hope you and Pete have a wonderful Christmas day however it is spent.
I can just imagine your peaceful Christmas full of shared memories and even now making new ones in this stage of life. Beautiful post! Our Christmases are still a little frantic at this stage with all of the little ones 🙂 Merry Christmas to you!
This is such a beautiful, heartfelt post, Lulu…just what I want on Christmas…Ha!!…now that I’m 28 minutes into it! Just fussing with things for my brunch.
Sending many good wishes to you and your family for a very Merry Christmas. I have so enjoyed getting to know you this year! Many hugs to you from Chicago!
XO,
Jane