Christmas Eve

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Similar to last year, we had a relaxing Christmas Eve this year.  When we were done with Calvin's birthday festivities, the girls and I got started on some cookies.  They did a great job decorating!

Usually on Christmas Eve, we are getting ready to head out to extended family parties, but I think the season of doing that has now come to a close.  Our last big Phillips gathering on Christmas Eve was three years ago before Grandpa Evan went into the nursing home.  Here are memories of that last party in 2018 (and my blog has countless pictures from each year before as well):

And then we'd always leave the Phillips Christmas to head to Corder, Missouri, for the big Deterding Christmas at Aunt Karla's.  After it was cancelled last year with Covid, they decided the time had probably come to allow families time with their smaller families on Christmas Eve rather than all 50+ of us coming to Corder.  My cousin Rachael is a grandmother now!  So there is a whole new generation of Deterdings beginning.  Here are memories from our final Christmas Eve in Corder in 2019 (and again, I have LOTS of pictures of previous Christmas Eves at Karla's on my blog):

I'm forever grateful that we were able to spend Christmas Eve with so many family members for so many years.  It has been one of life's greatest blessings!  We don't know yet exactly what our new Christmas Eve traditions may end up looking like, but we do know one thing: they will certainly including worship.  We decided to go to church in Ottawa with Mom & Dad, and Joy & Scott.  It was a beautiful service focused on Jesus the reality of the first Christmas.  No fairy tales; all God's love for humanity.

Then we went to Joy & Scott's for a yummy Christmas Eve dinner of French dip sandwiches, twice-baked potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, salad, and yummy desserts.

Evie June goofing off with her Grandpa Kermit on this Christmas Eve 2021!

It was a different, but wonderful, Christmas Eve spent with our smaller family.

And although I really love a big Christmas full of activity and lots of family, I have to remember that the first Christmas was quite simple.  Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus in a stable.  A few shepherds coming to worship after hearing the news from the angel hosts.  Christmas is significant because of who we worship, not who we spend time with.  It's important because of what He came to do, not our plans or activities.  Keeping the focus on Jesus keeps the true meaning in Christmas.