Christmas Eve 2025

My commute on Christmas Eve morning was short due to NO TRAFFIC. It was wonderful.

I had ordered the cutest dress from Dillard's. It is red plaid with a ruffle around the neck and it ties with a huge bow in the back. I was the first one into the office that day.

I set up the snacks for the pastors and maintenance staff - I actually moved them to a different location right after I took this photo!!

My co-worker's daughter had on a skirt to match my dress so she let me snap a photo of the two of us.

And then her son came cruising up and said he matched, too, so we grabbed one more shot. They live within walking distance of the church and ride bikes and scooters to church often. It was VERY warm on Christmas Eve so I had on my Birkenstocksk but also had boots for later.

See . . .it was 76 degrees!

I helped serve communion at the 1:00 p.m. service so I got to hear sermon and music again . . .plus take communion again and light another candle!

As soon as that service was over, I donned my parking lot attendant vest and headed outside to direct traffic for the 3:00 p.m. service. We are land-locked and once the parking lot fills us, we direct people to neighborhood areas where they can park on the street.

I got off work at 5:15 and headed home. We had received a really nice gift while I was at work. The bag contained supplies for Christmas morning for two!

Here are a couple of photos from the worship services. Below is our Senior Pastor, Brian Erickson who also happens to be my boss.

This was the 3:00 service (I think) because it isn't quite dark outside (light coming through stained glass windows). We were packed out at all of the services and offered "identical additional" services down the hall where 150 people worshipped at 3:00 and another 150 at 5:00 - in addition to a full sanctuary (which holds about 900). We broke all attendance records this year.

Our church looks so beautiful. We have volunteers who arrange flowers and decorate. It was lovely. You can see that baby Jesus arrived on Christmas Eve.

It was a good day - tiring, but good!

 

Christmas Eve Eve and Decorations

I like to take photos of our decorations in case I want to refer back to "how I did it" in 2025 (or whatever year).

I hung red and green glitter ornaments from our kitchen lights and ordered cute Santa cork placemats - I think I ordered the placemats from At Home.

I used Mark's mother's (now it belongs to me) silver tray in the center of the island with my kitchen Christmas tree, Santa mugs, and giant jingle bells. I had two bigger Chef Santas on either side of the tray.

I bought another set of Santa hat chairback covers from the Dollar Tree. For some reason, I love those goofy seatback covers!

I hung a small flat Nativity above the kitchen sink.

I bought a Fisher Price Nativity for the little one this year and it was a hit. I also bought a new garland for the mantle. I wove greenery from the farm into it and added the big polka dot bows and battery operated lights.

I used a big gold lantern, two bottle brush trees, and two reindeer on the hearth.

My Fontanini Nativity (with a few Olive Wood animals from Jerusalem) always gets top billing in the entry hall.

I used a tall wooden Christmas tree on top of the desk in the dining room and there is a gnome hiding inside.

On the other piece of furniture in the dining room, I added the three trees that Mark loves plus a tiny wire Nativity that we both love.

I guess this piece of furniture is a tiny cabinet (chest?) because it does have a couple of shelves inside for storage. I wonder if it was a storage case for record albums?? I need to do some research. The inside has a funky smell. I have a bottle of peppermint oil and a bunch of baking soda inside trying to mask the odor. Any other suggestions for getting rid of an odor in old furniture?

Some elves were "riding" the bottles of bourbon on the bar.

And . . .there were Santas sitting atop bottles inside the bar, plus an elf hanging out on the knob.

Here is a different view of the kitchen island.

We celebrated birthdays at work on the 23rd. Sam's sells a double decker cookie cake that was evidently REALLY tasty.

Our Christmas Eve services begin on Christmas Eve Eve and I arranged for someone to work the welcome desk so that I could go to worship with Mark. Our neighbors, Lu and Dave, came to church with us. It was an amazing service - great sermon, beautiful music, communion, and candlelight.

After church the four of us headed to Casual Pint for a bite of dinner. I had a seasonal apple cider which was pretty good!

On to the next day . . .

 

Weekend in Review . . . a day late!

 Thursday night was our service of Loss and Light. Christmas is often difficult for those who are mourning. It is historically held at our smaller campus. I love this service and worked as the greeter at the door.

Over the last two weeks we made stars out of clay and painted them to give out to each person. The stars were made so that they will fit in a person's hand to remind them that the light (God and his glorious light) ALWAYS wins.

When I got home, I put on my comfy Christmas leggings and made a cup of no sugar ice cream, light egg nog, and Paddy's Irish Whiskey. It was yummy.

Friday found me in the kitchen making cheese straws. I made 2 1/2 recipes -- 2 1/2 pounds of cheese, multiple sticks of butter, lots of flour and red pepper. YUM!

Mark likes for his cheesestraws to be extra spicy so I made a few just for him.

On Friday night, we went to a Christmas party on our circle. I got to hang out with Lu for a little while!

Susan and Pat's home was decorated beautifully.

She served lots of food.

I'm on the left, Susan (hostess) is beside me, then Lu . . .and our newest neighbor is on the end. She begins a new cancer treatment on January 4 for a recurrence.

The host, Pat, is wearing red and our next door neighbor, Mike, is in the blue.

In addition to food, they served Cosmopolitans and Old Fashioneds and wine and bourbon.

On Saturday, I went to WW and stopped to pick up a couple of things. Right before dark we took a golf cart ride around the neighborhood to see some Christmas lights.

On Sunday, I worked and we went to our Contact Christmas program where stories and Christmas music are shared.

We took a nap! I made some chili for my lunches.

I also sold a camera on Facebook Marketplace so I met the people in the Walgreen's parking lot. I wrapped presents for the granddaughters and watched The Family Stone. I didn't know it was going to be sad. I had an ugly Sunday afternoon cry!!!

While I was at work on Monday, Mark headed to the farm. He broke the farm record when he caught this fish! He was so excited.

Also, on Monday . . .our daughter was in a bad car wreck. She is "fine" - they are waiting on the results of an x-ray of her wrist. They think it is just a bad sprain but it could be broken. Every airbag in her car deployed and the car is totaled. I am so thankful she is ok and that she didn't have the kids with her. I didn't know whether to jump in the car and drive to her or what. They went to the ER but there was "no room in the inn." Literally! They ended up going to Urgent Care where they still had to wait for hours. She is going to be black and blue all over today. The driver of the other car pulled out right in front of her. He was clearly at fault but proceeded to jump out of his car shouting at her and calling her every name in the book. Two older ladies saw the wreck and stopped and stayed with Laura until her husband and the police arrived.

I have slowly been filling the stockings . . .

I have them in order by age - - Mark, Lisa, Scott, Lauren, Laura, Glenn, Wynn (our son by different parents), three granddaughters.

I can't believe it is Christmas Eve Eve. Mark and I will attend our Christmas Eve Eve service (which is the first of multiple services over the next two days) tonight and we've invited our neighbors to come and sit with us. We will grab some dinner afterwards. I will work until 5:15 on Wednesday and then I'll be off Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I will work again on Sunday and then I'll be off most of next week - yay!!

Ho Ho Week - Sunday Stealing!

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

Impetua is a blogger who stole this meme from someone named Yello, who I could not find. While it's not specifically about the holidays, these questions do have a festive feel.

Stealing Some Fun

1. Describe your favorite cake. I don’t eat sweets, but if I did . . .German Chocolate Cake made by Mark’s mother’s recipe. I made one for Thanksgiving.

2. Think of the best party you've ever attended. Were you a host or a guest? We’ve been to some great parties over the years, but my all-time favorite was probably my 50^th birthday. Many of you may remember that I have shared that my mom died right around her 50^th birthday. I always said that If I made it to 50, I was going to throw a massive party to celebrate. A friend heard me say those words and said she wanted to host it. Mark hired a caterer who stayed and cooked some things to order during the party! My sister, Becky, was here from Texas. Our kids and some of their friends were there. We invited our whole Sunday School class plus some other church friends. It was a great night.

3. When you choose a greeting card, do you pay more attention to the words or the pictures? I am drawn to the cover first and then I read the words – they both have to work for the person that will receive the card. The last few cards we have purchased have been $6-8. That seems a little ridiculous!

4. What's your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. There aren’t so many expectations. There is wonderful food and family time.

5. Who is your favorite character on your favorite TV show? I’m not even sure what my favorite TV show is . . . I like quite a few! I loved the character development on Schitt’s Creek. I also loved the character development on Breaking Bad. I love all of the characters – or almost all – on The Big Bang Theory. We are watching Ozark, Goliath, and Better Call Saul right now. I like random characters on all of those shows.

Mid-Week Shenanigans

Tuesday night was our Young Adult Christmas Party which includes Dirty Santa! Mark and I always have so much fun!!

Jessie was number one and started the game for us.

Caleb had on a great shirt -- Go Jesus! It's Your Birthday!

Mark sitting between Josh and Clarence . . .

Katie, Eliz, and Elizabeth

Josh is opening a gift - I think he opened three throughout the course of the evening.

 I can't remember what Ella opened!

Bailey had on the cutest sweater/sweatshirt -- the hood was the top of the Christmas tree!

We were missing about 8 people who were traveling . . .and we were missing one who broke her ankle!!

Wednesday was our "filming" day. Our senior pastor and our executive director take a popular song and re-write the lyrics and then choreograph the whole thing for a music video. It is released at our Contact Christmas service. The point is that we make total fools of ourselves for Jesus . . .actually, to feed, clothe, and house the people whom Jesus loves! We have a Manger Offering during Advent and the money given goes to help 20 ministry partners (such as homeless shelters, Wesley foundations, etc.) plus the money helps fund our Outreach Hub (where Mark volunteers every week). Last year, the offering was almost $250,000. We just took up a special offering in November to help students whose families SNAP benefits were suspended and our goal was $25,000. People gave $200,000. We don't know if that large offering in November will affect our Manger Offering. I think our goal is either $150,000 or $200,000. For some reason, this crazy video we make each year increases that offering . . .so we willingly make fools of ourselves.

I was Six - Six Geese-a-laying plus the 6 of 6-7.

One of the fourth grade Sunday School rooms was set up as the green room. Our senior pastor (my boss) is directing this shot. That would be the "French Hen" strutting across with the Partridge in a Pear Tree leaning against the wall.

In between shots, I ran down the hall - Chef Bert was busy setting up the food for our Staff Christmas Party.

Back down the hall . . .here we are outside the green room. I'm on the right (red on my head). Seven is standing beside me in her sequined swim cap . . .7 swans a swimming.

Normally I have to work on Wednesday nights, but there were no activities so I headed to Target. Mark was at our daughter's house about an hour and a half away.

Why was he there?

Because this morning (Thursday) was our granddaughter's class party. Our daughter, Laura, is a teacher at the school and her party was at the same time. Mark went down to be our granddaughter's plus one! I'm so glad that Laura was able to run down to the classroom and get a quick photo with "Pops" and our sweet girl!! Laura looks so much like Mark!

Today (Thursday) is the 50+ Christmas Party. They had a packed house. Three on a String is a musical group that played a local bar, the Lowenbrau, back when I was a young adult. They were the entertainment for the party! They have aged . . .just like I have haha!

I stayed long enough to snap a couple of photos and headed back to work.

Here is a wide angle view of the fellowship hall. Chef Bert prepared tons of lovely food and they had door prizes and entertainment!! Some of the folks in the room were brought by caregivers or by their children.

I guess that is my mid-week shenanigans. Anything exciting happening in your "neck of the woods"?