Christmas Eve

Joy to the world, for the Lord is come on this silent night, o holy night, when the stars were brightly shining on Judea's plains where the shepherds of old heard the joyous strains sung by angels we have heard on high. After all, away in a manger in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed where the virgin Mary had a baby boy, the virgin Mary had a bay boy, the virgin Mary had a baby boy and she said that his name was Jesus. But, one has to wonder: Mary, did you know that when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God? So everyone, fall on your knees because the first noel that the angels did sing was going on at the same time that with wondering awe the wise men were led by the light of faith serenely beaming from the Orient land. In short, I'm trying to go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born...tonight!

So, tonight is Christmas Eve. As tradition dictates (and anyone that knows how I feel about tradition, then you'll know that it dictates mucho for me-o) we went to a long-time family friend's house. When we got there we began by having our traditional sub sandwich dinner, or as I like to call them, Hogie sandwiches. I was sitting on one of their oversized chairs in the front room where I saw a little toy. It was one of those Transformer toys from the smash hit movie, Transformers. It took me 30 min. just to figure out how to get the stupid thing to turn into the car. Why are kids toys so hard for me? I'm 25 (MLIA)!!! Anyway, once I was frustrated with that, I went and ate.

Then we began practicing our songs. You see, every year we gather as friends and family and pick several people within our ward/lives that we'd like to go carol to. We bring them treats of goodies and sing to them and try and share some jolly Christmas spirit. We had our four families selected. Usually we sing some traditional Christmas carols that every one knows. This year, we sang some little diddy that one of the kiddies sang in school: "Here comes Santa, here comes Santa, here comes Santa, Santa Clause." Than of course, we sang "We wish you a merry Christmas" as tradition dictates we do (Christmas is so wonderful, so many dictating traditions...it's almost like you don't have to plan anything!!!).

So, once we were all brushed up on our music we headed on our way. At one of the houses, a family drove by, saw us and decided to stop so that they could listen to those sweet, melodious strains. In the group, there are at least three pretty trained choral singers, and a few others that can carry a tune. You'd think us to be a wonderful ensemble. These joyful strains however are nothing to the belted bellowings of our tone-deaf fathers and the children not blessed with properly functioning ears. As we got back into the rhythm of singing together after a year apart, I began to wonder: Why haven't we had more doors slammed in our faces? Isn't the joy that we're trying to bring to these poor souls actually just agonizing to their ears? Sarah put it best as we got into our cars after the final house: "Lee, you know if you ever try for the Tabernacle Choir, this will be a huge check against you!" Truer words have ne'er been uttered on this sacred day since the Holy Family was in that little stable and the angels sang Glory to God in the highest!

After our caroling conundrum we headed back. There we did our (once again) traditional reading of Luke 2 and our traditional singing of Silent Night (for, it is the only Christmas hymn I can play on the piano). Then, when we got home, I got to watch White Christmas for my first time ever. What a joy it was. Now we have to get ready for tomorrow: presents, big breakfast, big lunch, missionaries, Sister Spindler calls, movie, Amory skypes, big dinner. Such a relentless day but...Such is life!