There were so many blessings and things to be thankful for this Christmas. It seems that every year I’m thanking the Lord again for His provision for us in so many ways during the holidays. This Christmas was no different, of course.
I’m sure no one remembers this. Actually, I didn’t even remember until I read my Christmas post from last year, but last year I wrote that I hoped to have tamales this year as part of our Christmas Eve dinner. Tamales are a Christmas Eve Tradition in Texas, and I have fond memories of my dad and grandparents buying them ahead of time, freezing them, and then steaming them to eat on Christmas Eve. A few weeks ago, I began thinking about this and wondering where I could find some for our family to eat. (Remember the Pace Picante Sauce commercials? New Jersey? I felt a little like I was in that commercial thinking I could get tamales in Massachusetts.) Well, almost immediately, Joel came to mind. Joel has been a wonderful addition to our church family this year, and I knew that with his Puerto Rican heritage and connections, it was highly possible that he could get me some tamales. I asked him last Sunday…
“Joel, do you know where I can get some tamales for Christmas Eve?”
“Tamales?? (in proper Latino accent and pronunciation) Do I know where to get tamales???? Of course I know where to get tamales!!!”
“Really!?! Well, they are a tradition for Christmas Eve in Texas, so I was hoping to get some this week.”
“You want me to get you some tamales? I will get you some tamales.”
He called later in the week to see how many we wanted. We requested 2 dozen and offered to pay for them. (They are VERY labor intensive!) Joel refused any money, and insisted that when his friend, Lupe, heard that an American family wanted tamales for Christmas Eve, she was just overjoyed to make them for us!
I spent a couple of days making refried beans, Mexican rice, and 2 kinds of enchiladas, we invited several friends over, Joel arrived with the tamales, and it was a Mexican FEAST! (Well, actually we called it a Texan-Gringo-Puerto Rican-Yankee feast!)
It was so fun and just one of the blessings and provisions of this Christmas…..tamales.
After the tamale feast, we all headed to church for our candlelight service. Kayla played the piano, Cooper played djembe, Kory ran the powerpoint, different folks read the Christmas story from Luke, Robert preached on the Holy Spirit’s role in the story (It is a big role He played!), and we lit votives, because we couldn’t find the regular small tapers made especially for passing the flame during “Silent Night.” It was all very beautiful.
Back at home everyone opened their gift of new pjs, and modeled them for the annual pjs-in-front-of-the-tree photo. (I won’t even tell you how many “takes” this took.) We read the assigned reading of our Jotham’s Journey Advent book and then sent the kids to bed! Robert and I stayed up stuffing stockings and transporting presents to the tree, watched Miracle on 34th Street (we’d never seen it before ~ short and sweet) in bed, and then went to sleep for just a few hours it seemed until we heard footsteps going down the hall and bathroom visits being made which meant that everyone was up and eager to open gifts. We managed to hold them off until 7a.m.
Giving gifts to our kids is another provision and blessing the Lord allows every year. I absolutely LOVE buying the gifts my kids request for Christmas, but I never know quite how it will all happen. Prices are high and the budget is tight, but somehow every year He provides a way for us to bless our kids and each other with several special gifts. (We even got to give gifts to a couple of others ~ folks in need ~ this year. Those gifts are going to stay our little secret, but can I tell you that it blessed our family so much to give away like we were able to? Wow ~ it IS more blessed to give than to receive! The kids were especially thrilled with these opportunities.) Can you tell that Kayla is VERY excited about the next installment of the Percy Jackson series? Each kid usually gets a new book, a new game, an article of clothing, new pjs, socks and undies, and a couple of specially requested items like…..
Legos! No one requested or received Legos last year, which was a first in many years, but this year we were back to Legos. Cooper and Kayla both wanted 2 special sets that they had spotted in catalogs throughout the year.
Kory got this Longhorn sweatsuit and several books and DVDs on World War II ~ one of his biggest interests.
I gave Robert something he has never even mentioned wanting! It was a risk, but when I saw these Fossil brand leather commuter bags/briefcases, I was pretty sure he would be pleased. Well, he was, and in true church planter humor (which precious few of you will appreciate, of course) he said, “Many will come to Jesus, now that I have this awesome bag.” (It’s just a joke, y’all. There has emerged a certain “style” to this profession/calling which is mostly ridiculous, but hey, when you are the “old guy” a little “hip” can’t hurt!)
The rest of the day brought Lego building….. a city house and winter village bakery for Kayla.
And more Lego building…..
….the city public transport set ~ complete with cool sports car for Coop’s professional Lego football players for Cooper.
And look at these cute buttons I found for everyone’s stocking. Can you guess who’s who? I’ll give you one hint: The “handsome devil” is Robert, of course!
Today brought the snow ~ we were just about 36 hours from having a white Christmas ~ and the packing up of all things Christmas. The decor, that is. With blizzard conditions outside, it was a good day to stay in and get a lot of cleaning accomplished. Robert took this picture after we had cleared out the tree and taken multiple Rubbermaid containers filled with garland, ornaments and such, back to the attic. It seemed like all that was left of Christmas, but it really wasn’t. The Christmas that hopefully won’t ever get packed up around here is the Emmanuel part ~ His nearness to us. He has shown it to us in so many ways this year and this holiday season ~ whether it be tamales from Worcester, MA or a church family to worship with, abundant provisions for family gift giving, to the blessing of being able to give to to those who aren’t expecting it.
Yes, merry and bright and white with abundance.
Thank you, Lord Jesus.
(Maybe tomorrow I’ll find time to post about the gifts I received. So special. And evidently “not normal.” Stay tuned.)
I love reading your blog sis. You are wonderful!
I'm thinking of starting my own….again. Mainly because I love the "family album" you will always have! You are smart and wonderful!
And perhaps one day, I will receive my own "not normal" Christmas gift as well. 😉
Love you.
PLEASE start blogging again, sis! That would be SO much fun ~ and you have such an eye for photography and heart for writing! Oh ~ I can't wait.
And yes, perhaps…. and I pray so. 😉
Thank you for your encouraging comments on "the last month" 🙂
I had to laugh at your "Old and Hip husband" because that is sooo my husband!!
I enjoyed all your holiday gift giving ideas and fun. I cannot believe you've never seen Miracle on 34th St. I've watched that since I was little. That and It's a Wonderful Life. No Christmas season is complete without them 🙂
Merry Christmas Melanie and a blessed New Year to your sweet family~
~Cinnamon