For as long as I can remember, my family has celebrated 4 Christmases. Christmas Eve is celebrated with Mom’s side of the family. Christmas Day is just the 4 of us at home. The day after Christmas consists of more of Mom’s side. Finally, New Year’s Day is spent with Dad’s side of the family.
My favorite of all these Christmases is Christmas Eve. Until 1997, December 24th was spent at my house. From 1998 till last year we gathered at my Aunt’s in Lancaster, PA. But during those Christmas Eves at home, I remember that Grandmom would come early in the afternoon to help us clean and set up the presents under the tree. Aunt Maureen and Uncle Phil along with their kids Misha, Micah, Michaela, and J.T. [collectively known as the Grosses] would usually show up late – basically when all the work was done and all that was left to do was eat and open presents.
Now, before I continue, I need to explain to you the philosophy my brother Michael and I share on proper Christmas tree height. It’s pretty intense, but simple. It needs to be taller than Dad – who is 6’3”. But what it really needs to do is scrape the ceiling as we stand it up in our living room. I mean, the tree needed to scrape the ceiling so bad that we would have to repaint the entire living room ceiling after we got rid of the tree. Michael and I have very strict standards that we meet every year despite Mom’s complaints of “Just once can we not get such a tall tree?” But each year we don’t listen and get the tallest one we can find. Like I said, we have our standards.
Now back to the inner-workings of Christmas Eve on Friendship Street. Mom is seen in the kitchen, putting the last touches on our Christmas #1 feast. She’s also giving out orders – mostly to me, since I’m the only one around to help. I’m told to make sure Christmas music is playing, that all presents are neatly arranged under the tree, and that I do not peak at any presents whatsoever! I salute her and go about my duties. As I do so, the rest of the family [the Grosses] come charging through the door, right on time – dinner’s almost ready.
Everyone gets settled in and Christmas Eve officially begins. Dinner is served. The table is decorated with candles and mini-wreaths and the best food: “pigs in a blanket,” roast beef sandwiches, wings, and other munchies. My mouth is watering just telling you about it.
So, we eat, everyone catches up, and then someone [usually Aunt Maureen] starts singing. My family has been graced with a few gifted singers, but not all of us. Anyway, we all sing Christmas carols, taking turns to pick out the next favorite to sing. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Rudolph,” “Joy to the World”and“O Come All Ye Faithful” are just a few of the many favorites we share as a family. This is absolutely my favorite part of Christmas Eve, other than opening presents. Everyone is so happy and together and so joyful. I can’t help but fall in love with my family.
After the singing comes what most little kids dread and mostly just don’t understand – but it’s essential to a Christmas in a Christian family: reading the Bible story of Jesus’ birth. The Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 1-21: “The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” [Verse 10].
When the story is over, the highly-anticipated opening of the presents is up next. Every year we decide in what order we will open presents. For example, we may open from oldest to youngest, which would start with Grandmom and filter down to J.T., or in the opposite direction. Usually, if the kids had to go last, there is a lot of bickering, complaining, and whining. But the whining is quickly silenced with a firm “It’s Christmas! Be thankful! Be joyful! Find joy in your heart! Smile!” In my case, should I be found pouting on Christmas, I hear these words from Mom. She’s pretty good with deciding what mood I need to be in.
The mountain of presents that were neatly arranged by yours truly is quickly demolished and all that remains is a pile of wrapping paper, tissue paper, and some ribbon. But smiling faces deck the room, perhaps some more songs are sung, and pictures are taken of everyone showing off their fabulous presents. It takes an outside look of my family and me to realize how lucky I am to have a family that loves me – a family that fills my heart with the spirit of the season [but lasts all year round].
And now, this holiday season, we will once again celebrate Christmas Eve at my house. But my family will be missing my Grandmother. Grandmom died this October. Our first Christmas this year will be celebrated in remembrance of Grandmom – of Nena. I hope that my family and I will look back on Christmases past and remember the love and laughter Grandmom brought to us all.
