The moment we start putting up the tree, little snippets of memories from all Christmas' past are triggered. Some are mildly tragic -- most are pretty great. I thought I would share some of my favourites ....
School Christmas Concerts
The Christmas Concert was always a highlight at school as we harboured our high hopes of landing a good role. Personally I wanted to be Joseph ... I was thrilled the year I landed the part of the lead angel but I underestimated how long I was going to have to hold my arms up high. As the minutes ticked slowly by and my arms dropped lower, with intermittent motions from my teacher to lift them, my halo tilted and my wings wilted until finally - in the loudest voice possible, I proudly belted out my very rehearsed lines:
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. * Bows deeply and big smile while scanning the audience for parents *Rituals
On Christmas Eve my sibs and I would sleep together in one bed - two at the top and two at the bottom - to feed the festive fever and convince one another that we heard Santa or reindeer on the roof. I was 19 the last time we did this which may be illegal today. Oh, and my 51 year old "holey" Christmas stocking still hangs on the mantle.
Favourite present
One of the best gifts ever was one that I didn't get. Apparently Santa didn't have room on his sleigh that year so Christmas morning I opened a lovely music book and guitar tuner. I was happy enough with that I play a mean tuner so when my mom pointed out the special note with my name on it that explained that a guitar would arrive
Near tragedy
As I walked slowly down the church aisle during the Christmas Eve candlelight service with the rest of the choir, my eyes darted back and forth in search of my mom and grandma. I inadvertently lit my sheet music ablaze with my candle. No worries -- we got the fire out with no fatalities -- but it put a damper on things. And yes I was in the choir -- apparently being able to hold a tune wasn't a prerequisite.
Favourite Christmas song: I'll be home for Christmas cause really, is there anywhere else to be??
Favourite Christmas movie: A Christmas Story nothing like Chinese food at Christmas
Least favourite movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas not a fan of green villains
Highlight: Best part of Christmas - hands down - was that my grandma and aunt would sleep overnight so they could wake up with us in the morning. We had a "the more the merrier" spirit in our house and our home was packed to the rafters with relatives and friends during the holidays. And not once can I recall hearing the word "stress". Maybe the secret was in the eggnog. : )
Do you have a favourite ritual or memory?
My favourite memory is of my sisters and cousins tucked into one bed on Christmas Eve while mom told us stories about santa feeding the reindeer beans to power the sleigh and all of us laughing so hard that we screaming for her to stop least we wet the bed.
ReplyDeleteNothing says Christmas like a good fart joke, eh mom?