Advent Stories: Memories of Music and Lefse

Christmas is a time for shopping, baking, decorating, and making plans. It is also time to anticipate events to come and reflect on Christmases past...

One of my favorite memories of the holidays is that of our traditional Christmas Eve as a youngster. We didn't have to "dream" of a white Christmas when I was growing up, we lived it each year. We always spent Christmas Eve at our house with my parents and my siblings. Of course, we had already been out in one of the woods around the farm earlier in the week and had picked out the "perfect" tree. It was standing in the corner of the living room, modestly decorated, waiting for the festivities to begin.

My Grandpa always had to have barbecue ribs for supper on Christmas Eve and my Dad carried on the tradition. Another must at this holiday meal was a soft, flat bread called lefse which was topped with butter and sugar. After the feast my Dad, who was such a tease, would insist upon everyone helping with kitchen clean up. It is amazing how fast four children could dry the dishes!

My two brothers, one sister, and myself would have already planned a program for the evening, complete with a hand-written bulletin. We each played musical instruments, as well as the piano, so music was a big part of the event each year. After this small recital, my sister would accompany the family on the piano as we sang several familiar Christmas carols. The music may not have been great, but the memories sure are. The grand finale of the program was always my Dad in his strong bass voice reading the Christmas story from Luke 2. He would always say, "Eating is fun, presents are fun, but the true meaning of Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ."

Then, and only then, would we be allowed to open our gifts under the tree in the corner of the room.

What is OUR priority during this busy season? Is it celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Dear Father in Heaven. Help us to enjoy the festivities pf the season, and the special time with family and friends. But let us ALWAYS celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen,

Gail Baker

2010