Christmas was...

...very low-key, very loving. Just the way we like it.

Christmas Eve service at our church is one of the highlights of the year. We keep it to one hour, have some songs presented and do a candlelight communion. It's always special, even if so only for the things that go laughably wrong, and this was no exception. We couldn't get the audio working for the short film I'd bought to begin the program. With about five minutes before start time, I pulled out a Handel's Messiah CD from the sound room and noticed the time for "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed": 3:07. The film, entitled "The Prophecy" was exactly 3:07. The music was most appropriate as well as a perfect fit. No one else but Irish and the sound guy knew till later. That was close!

Afterwards, we went home and had cocoa (made with Splenda) and popcorn (fresh popped, not the dreadful nuked stuff.) We'd already watched all our seasonal movies, even our classic favorite "Ernest Saves Christmas", so we settled on the A&E version of "Emma". (Once again I am reminded that Kate Beckinsale is ever so much better in the part than that washed-out Gwyneth girl.) It is blessed to have a husband who appreciates films that contain not one exploding vehicle.

We slept in a bit late next morning, unlike when the kids were growing up. After the usual rituals and long distance family calls, a few friends came for our our hospitality tradition, a late Christmas morning breakfast. After the cleanup, I delivered poinsettias to a family who were sick and couldn't make the night before; then we went to our pastor's house for a nice turkey dinner, lots of laughs, old Moody Blues concert recordings, and good conversation. The same group of us went to see "A Night at the Museum" that night because it sounded lighthearted and entertaining, which it was. (Irish & I had hoped to catch "The Nativity Story" but the cretin Salinas theater owners had already jettisoned it in favor of something more festive, which they apparently consider to be "Black Christmas".)

Late night home, fell into bed tired and happy. We didn't change the world on Christmas, but we had a lovely time with people we love. And it wasn't all about the presents.