Author - Lorri

So Christmas Day has come and gone and now we are basking in the calm, relaxed days before the New Year.  This is one of my favorite times of year.  I enjoy the anticipation, the hustle and bustle, and the excitement of Advent.  But this week is just so restful.

Except for the sounds of Bip screaming, “No!  Boo-ah!” from upstairs.

Christmas Eve was a good one.  Mass was different this year.  A couple of months ago, the military Arch-Bishop (did you even know there is a military archdiocese?) decreed that we could no longer have a re-enactment of the Gospel during Mass.  Not even if it was after the actual Gospel reading.  Sigh.  I have some strong feelings on this issue, but this is not the time or place.  Instead, we had a small childrens choir which sang appropriate songs interspersed through the Gospel.  I’m not sure the bishop would have liked that either, but since we  no longer even have a bishop, any complainers will have to take it up with the Pope.

Anyway…there was a tense moment during “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” because during rehearsals my two children kept skipping the second verse and taking the whole choir with them.  After some intense practice at home, they were doing fine and got it right during Mass.  They both beamed at me immediately afterwards.

We came home to our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of tamales, rice and beans.  We got the children all nestled snug in their beds, but not after a last minute note for Santa.  Pumpkin Girl very nicely thanked him for coming, asked about Santa Mouse, then wrote “Sign Here” and drew a line for a signature.  I suspect next year she’ll be requiring 2 photo IDs and proof of insurance.  Of course, Santa was more than happy to sign her note.

Christmas morning dawned not too early with the sound of a herd of buffalo stampeding down the hallway.  Several minutes later, the herd returned and revealed itself to be Boo and Pumpkin who were anxious to get us up and going.

Forty-five minutes later, the presents had been opened, wrapping paper was everywhere and all was good and right in the world.

One of our biggest surprises came later in the morning when the phone rang.  I thought it was my mom, so I had Boo answer it.  He was silent for a while, then said, “it’s Goofy!”  We all crowded around two phones and listened to Goofy welcome us home from our cruise and wish us happy holidays and a festive New Year.  He hoped to see us again soon, then had to rush off because his cookies were burning.  Nothing like a little Disney magic to brighten your holiday!

And now we’re enjoying some time off from school and general responsibilities.  We may go house-hunting later today – in the most non-committal, we’re just looking kind of way.  I wonder if there are any good 50% off after-Christmas sales on houses?

Me thinks yes…

This bit of holiday cheer was brought to you by Boo. Whose father makes him change his shirt before going to church.

A message for my family:

I have no source for Christmas Eve tamales this year.

FedEx is your friend.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this matter.

My favorite Christmas carol is “O Holy Night” and I’m particularly fond of the way Robert Goulet sang it. My parents had a great Christmas album with it on it, but sadly, Bob Goulet’s version is not to be had on iTunes. Josh Groban does a nice job, too, but nothing beats Robert Goulet’s deep, soothing voice. If I had any idea how to go about doing it, I’d get my parents to rip the whole album on to a CD for me.

My next favorite would be “Do You Hear What I Hear.” I love the story.

I like Bob Seger doing The Little Drummer Boy. Something about his gruff voice singing that tender song with a great drum in the background just gets to me.

And of course, Bruce Springsteen singing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town in concert”…my favorite part is when Clarence Clemons starts “ho ho ho”ing and Bruce starts cracking up.

And it just wouldn’t be Christmas without Elvis singing “Here Comes Santa Claus.” ( Ha! You thought I was going for “Blue Christmas”, didn’t you? No, those “we-oo-we-oo-wees” are just too much. ) Elvis sings all of the verses but the best parts are the lines “Santa knows that we’re God’s children, that makes everything right” and “Let’s give thanks to the Lord above that Santa Claus Comes tonight.” Sing it, Elvis!

However, you have not lived until you’ve seen our family break into Feliz Navidad. We heard it a couple of times during our cruise (you didn’t think I’d go a whole post without mentioning it, did you?). I want to apologize to anyone on Deck 6 who was trying to nap while we went singing and dancing down the hall. I’m afraid we got a little loud. Let’s blame Philip.

So what are you favorite Christmas carols?