Christmas Eve…
I hope you are all planning for a wonderful Christmas Eve, whether it’s a boisterous day with family and friends, a quiet family dinner, or an evening alone to reflect on the year that’s flown past.
As for us, we’ve had all of the above. Our kids all came early for Christmas this year, and the last of the seventeen who’ve been under our roof this past week drove away this afternoon. We’ll have a quiet evening with my dad and sisters and dinner with Ken’s mom and brothers on Christmas Day. And as much as I miss my kids already, that will be a nice change of pace from the happy chaos of the week.
As I’ve gotten older, the gifts and parties and food and all the other trappings of the typical American Christmas have become less and less important, and the true Spirit of Christmas—celebrating the coming of the Christ Child with family and dear loved ones—has become so much clearer.
A blessed Christmas from my house to yours and from all of us here at Inspired by Life..and Fiction! And may Jesus, the Reason for the season, live in your heart, and may His Holy Spirit comfort you with Joy, Love, and Peace, and above all, the Hope of His return. Those words are capitalized because Jesus Himself is all of those and more!
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Dani says
Beautiful family. Merry Christmas.
Deborah Raney says
Merry Christmas to you, too, Dani!
Hilda says
Debbie! What a fun family picture! That’s smart, to spread Christmas out over two or more days. We’ve always done that too. (With my birthday being the 24th, it always feels like there’s more going on, but we keep Jesus in the center of things. We’re happier that way! Merry and Blessed Christmas and New Year to you, Ken, and family! Keep writing! 🙂
Deborah Raney says
Happy birthday, Hilda! And Merry Christmas too. Ken’s birthday is at the end of December so his birthday gets “lumped in” with Christmas too.
Paula says
Have a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!
Love your posts. So encouraging.
You have quite the brood! Glad they could be with you.
Blessings!
Deborah Raney says
Thank you, Paula! Merry, merry Christmas to you!
Shirley Chapel says
Merry Christmas to you and all your family.
Deborah Raney says
You, too, Shirley. Blessings to you and your loved ones!
Becky Wade says
Merry Christmas, Deb!!
Deborah Raney says
You, too, Becky. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Jeanne Davis says
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! How blessed you are to have such a large family with littles too who could come to gather together, and your next few days sound wonderful too. Many blessings in the new year as well!
Deborah Raney says
To you, too, Jeanne! God is good!
Betty Strohecker says
Merry Christmas! Love the picture of your family.
Deborah Raney says
Merry Christmas right back, Betty! Hope you’re having a wonderful day!