The Eve of Christmas

When I was a child I remember Christmas Eve being the longest day ever. Time seemed to stand still. All the magic and joy and wonder of Christmas left me breathless and excited. I can't remember being asked what I would like to have. We never knew what we would get from Santa it was always the biggest surprise. We did know that whatever he brought us would be the greatest things ever. On Christmas Eve at my grandparents we would get a light supper and we could have anything we wanted to eat. Even if it was just chocolate cake or red velvet cake. I think the glass of cold milk made it all okay. That we could eat anything even cake may be the one greatest memory of my childhood. My mother and grandmother were a stickler about meals and we never not got to pig out on junk food except at Christmas. Christmas eve at my grandparents found all of my mother's brothers and sisters and their children. Over the years there was a mix of boyfriends and girlfriends and fiances. My grandfather took those moments during the exchanging of gifts to embarass the visitors. Girls ALWAYS got some skimp lacey split crotch panties and the guys got some wild boxers or something to ensure blushing. It made my grandfather's day to do this and everyone never knew what to expect because he singled out one poor hapless guest do it to. Coming from blue collar working class people my grandfather rarely drank but sometimes might have a vodka and orange juice on Christmas Eve. My grandmother, being Baptist, was totally upset by any drinking whatsoever but whatever my grandfather did on Christmas Eve seemed okay. I can't remember her getting upset. One year my grandfather decided the occassion called for wine. Oh!!!! He was really high class. Only the best of Mogan David for him. One year he got so sloshed we children sat in amazement as Santa came through the front door bearing gifts and my grandfather hoisted him up like a bride crossing the threshhold and carrie dhim and the toys away. Christmas Eve was always the same every single year. The family would gather at my grandparents. Everyone had to eat. The supper dishes and kitchen had to be cleaned. Then we would all be called into the living room. We kids would scramble for a place on the floor waiting for our pile of brightly wrapped packages to begin piling up as my youngest aunt crawled under the tree and began doling out the presents. The opening of the gifts was done in order of youngest to oldest. Can you imagine being the oldest grandchild and having to wait while 5 or 6 younger grandchildren open 20 or more gifts? As more and more grandchildren were born it seemed to take forever to get to be my turn. Once we opened the gifts we could not play with them. We had to sit and watch everyone else open their gifts "because they waited and watched up open our gifts". Afterwards the gifts were packed into cars, people gathered int he kitchen and nibbled and snacked then everyone went home. By the time we got home we had to go to bed so Santa could come. Christmas morning!!!! Ohhhhhh, we had the hardest time sleeping. We were not allowed to be up before 5am. I remember one year my uncle tried to stretch it 4:30 and it was a no go. At 5am the house came alive. We tore into the gifts from Santa with delight and joy. Santa presents were NEVER wrapped. Only gifts from family and friends called for wrapping. Bicycles, skates, minibikes, so many things we were given. The year I got my first pair of skate I was out on the sidewalk at 5am and had bloody knees by 5:15am. Oh that was a great day -not! You have an idea of the kind of Christmas I enjoyed as a child. It is that same sense of wonder and magic that I want for my own children. I want to see the excitement, the belief in magic and complete and total innocence of believing Santa will come while they sleep. While Christmas Eve is for Santa Christmas Day is for the Lord. Never once in all of the excitement and secrets and magic was it lost that the true meaning and celebration of Christmas is birth of my Savior. If you have never read the Christmas story from scripture please take a moment and read my sidebar. May you be blessed now and in the new year. May you find God's peace that passes understanding. May He bless you and keep you for all the days of your lives. Merry Christmas to you all. We are going to Peking Gourmet Inn this evening. I will feast on Peking duck, spring onions and plum sauce. Then I will turn my attn to Jeo-Yan Shrimp, not with the normal dipping sauce they serve with it but with the creamy yellow garlic sauce instead. My mouth is already watering. I wish I could bring you all with me. This is one tradition I will NEVER want to miss.