Tuesday Evening: Ruthanne, Terry and I attended the 5:00 Christmas Eve service at Calvary Church Christmas Eve. There were also 7:30 and 10:00 services for those folk who like to stay up later, but we figured the 5:00 would be a good time for us.
Calvary's Christmas Eve services are very low-key, casual, yet beautiful. We sing a bunch of Christmas Carols, read Scripture, have a special thing for the children to come up front, and the service ends with candlelight--started with one candle and then it spreads all over the auditorium from person to person. I never get a good picture of all of the candles lit--mostly because I don't want to be obnoxious by standing up or moving around in order to get the whole view--it would spoil the moment, I think. So, I didn't even attempt it this year, even subtly!
There had to be about 200 kids that went up front to sit on the stairs and listen to the Children's leader as she told the Christmas story and asked questions. When the service was closing, Pastor Jim and Lisa, George, Grace, Abigail, and George came up the stairs and gave a Christmas blessing. It was very nice.
The service got out at about 6:00, and we had not eaten dinner prior to going to church. I had googled "restaurants open on Christmas Eve near me" and found a list of very nearby places where we could catch a bite before coming over to my house for desert.
However ... I am learning NOT to trust the internet! The three restaurants I had picked that were close and reasonably priced were NOT opened contrary to what was advertised on google. SO ... thankfully, we did find a place that was open. We ended up eating at "Cheers" where we had never eaten before. They were having a "surf 'n turf" special; so that's what I ordered. It was very delicious, made even better because my dinner was a gift from Ruthanne and Terry.
We came here afterwards and hung out for awhile, ate brownies and ice cream, and Terry and Ruthanne opened gifts I had purchased for them: their very OWN "Clean Slate" game (!!!) with extra markers too, and a David Jeremiah book about Heaven (I forget the title).
We also ZOOMED with David and Carol; however zooming is not in my technical skill level--so it was a challenge to get it all working correctly--but it finally DID work. It was lovely to see their dear faces and laugh and talk with them for awhile. I love them so much.
Tomorrow is Christmas! I have all gifts wrapped and ready! My ham and potato casserole is ready to go into the oven, and I am looking forward to seeing some dear little faces and enjoying the day with them.
No comments:
Post a Comment