Joyful Memories Shared from my heart, by A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

JOY

Over the centuries we have celebrated the advent of the Christ Child with different customs from all over the world as well as different customs with families.

Growing up in the Justus household Christmas Eve was the magical time. Early supper and church at six thirty. The service was always filled with carols and a short message from the minister. Often the youth would do a pageant that night. The ending song was always Silent Night and the lights were off and every member held a candle.  The church was St Paul United Church of Christ in Dallas. Founded by  German families, this last song was sung in German.  At the end we filed out blowing out our candle as we left the sanctuary.

At home Mom had trays of yummy Christmas cookies. Many were the traditional German cookies. Dad prepared egg nog and we shared gifts and warm times in front of the cozy fire.  My memories today are of Dad as we put the tree up every year, hanging the lights on the inner edges of the branches, the ornaments near the front edges, but always leaving room for the single strands of  tinsel on the tree limbs. 

I asked mom once why we celebrated on Christmas eve.  She said her dad had to  work for the railroad on Christmas Day so they always did Christmas Eve.

JOY... memories that warm my heart. Laurie

“When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”” Matthew 2:4-6