Christmas Break!

Yes! This extremely busy day is finally over and Christmas break can begin. I would recount all of the busy happenings of the day, but that would just make me go *whew* and fall asleep in my exceptionally comfortable chair. Instead, I'm going to list my "favorites" of the Christmas season. This post will probably be followed by a post from Matt, so I'll try not to make it too long. Speaking of which, Matt needs to read my blog . http://walkawayrene.blogspot.com/

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS . . .

Childhood present: Harry Potter lego set (or any legos, I was obsessed) and my N-64
Not-so-childhood present: Europe trip (my parents paid for half of it)
Carol: O Holy Night; nothing compares
Weather: about 5 inches of heavy, good packing snow on the ground and heavy flakes coming down all day
Over-commercialized symbol: Christmas trees. There is little in this world as wonderful as walking into a dark room with a lit Christmas tree.
Meal: Prime rib, along with other traditional holiday foods we serve in my family
Church moment: Midnight mass at my old church was AMAZING. The chamber orchestra used to play midnight mass and I loved watching them when I was little.When I got older, I played with them and it was twice as fun. There is something so holy and sacred about midnight mass. It's hard to describe, but it's the sort of thing that gives me shivers.
Touching Memory: Two years ago, my family's friends were at mass with us. They had a son who had been in Iraq and was back on leave. His wife had died giving birth to their daughter and so it especially nice for the little girl to be with her only parent on Christmas. Before mass, the priest had asked him to give a small speech about thankfulness, which he did. It was the most beautiful speech I have ever heard. After his speech, the priest blessed the man and prayed for his safety. It was so . . . honest. It really put things in perspective. I was crying, and it takes a lot for me to cry. *sniff*

I could go on and on about my favorite Christmas things, but I won't because I'm tired. Christmas has a special aura around it. There is nothing else out there like the feeling Christmas gives. And Christmas is coming on Sunday!!!!!