Christmas Eve

In Americana only two days have “eve’s” to them, Christmas and New Years. In general, I would say a holiday is given an “eve” due to its importance. New Year’s out of necessity needs an Eve. You can’t observe the New Year unless you celebrate the day before. And most celebrations occur that day rather than the next. When you consider the holidays in Americana, in this modern America we live in, filled with consumerism and the comforts of home, Christmas is the most important of them all. Of course it needs an “eve.” Santa doesn’t come “the day before Christmas” – he comes on “Christmas Eve!” We don’t snuggle down into our beds for a long winter’s nap on “the day before Christmas.” We do it on “Christmas Eve!” We don’t go out caroling, throw Christmas parties, or stay up late on “the day before Christmas.” We do it all on “Christmas Eve!” Mostly, though, Christmas Eve has taken on its own special meaning. Yes, Santa and parties and caroling may define Christmas Eve, but you don’t need any of those to make the day special. It’s special in and of itself. There is an anticipation on that day. There’s a feeling on Christmas Eve of waiting. Of waiting for the culmination of this season, the most wonderful day of the year. Just one day away. Maybe that’s what the fullness of time feels like. We’ve waited all these weeks for Christmas, and now, it’s the day before. We can’t wait anymore, for tomorrow it’s Christmas!

The Happiest Christmas

Oh the happiest Christmas,
Is a home coming Christmas,
With the snow fluttering down,
Till the world seems new …


Christmas over the past few years has taken on a special meaning for me. When you live hundreds of miles from home, seeing your family becomes very infrequent. Those times when we get to go home are looked forward to for months. That time of year the trip is made, whatever it be, is bound to be highly anticipated and a treasured time of year.

In popular culture, Christmas is a time of family. So what better time to make an annual trip home to be with our family? And since we don’t see family but that time of year, oh what a wonderful time of year it is!

I remember growing up when we would go to the Crone’s and to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s for Christmas Eve and Christmas. I loved getting together to have our Christmas meal and cookies, and to play games and to just be together as a whole family.

Things and traditions have changed a lot over the past many years but the joy I take in being with you all during Christmas is still the same. I am grateful that I have only had to miss one Christmas from you so far. The Lord has blessed us with being able to go home each Christmastime even though we live so far away.

That Christmas that we were not at home, I called home on Christmas Day. I think you were all together at Grandma’s. At one point, when talking to Dad, he held the phone out and had everyone shout, “Merry Christmas, Tim!” I still remember that exactly. Standing outside in the dark evening in a muddy driveway in a small town in the mountains of North Carolina. I was so far from home, yet hearing everyone say Merry Christmas, in that brief moment, I was at home with my family.

That’s the happiest Christmas for me: being home. Christmas has become so much grander and celebrated for me because, after being away for so long, it’s the time I get to see everyone and be with them once again.


… And the happiest wishes,
Are just old fashioned wishes.
May your days be merry and your sorrows be small.
May the ones you love be near you,
That’s the happiest Christmas of all!