Sunday before Christmas - 2 days left

It was a normal Sunday; getting up early to read the newspaper, drinking coffee and eating breakfast. But today was a little more special. We would be wearing Christmas outfits today. James wore his navy suit and white shirt and one of his Santa ties. I wore a black Christmas sweater with red skirt and white blouse. Jim wore his choir robe once he got to church. The church was filled with red poinsettias at the altar rail. The crowd was "expectant" as many families had loved ones visiting and everybody was busy greeting the guests who were home for the holidays.


I opened my church bulletin for the order of the service and my eyes rested on "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" to be sung by Kenneth Baker, an annual event everybody looks forward to each Christmas. But today there was an air of sadness because Kenneth's father, Winfred Baker, passed away on Saturday morning and his funeral was today at 3 pm. Kenneth was not at church today. Pam, his wife and our church organist had surgery on Wednesday, and was not at church today either. I have known Kenneth's father and mother (Dot Young) all my life. They were neighbors to our family in the Curtis community. Their 4 boys were just little fellows when I left home in 1952. The Baker and Young families lived near the schoolhouse. There were 14 Baker children and now only 1 is left, the youngest sister, Lillian Baker Taylor.


Tonight we went to church for the Advent Carols and Lessons. The organ was silent. A choir member, Lois Holt, played the piano (beautifully) and only a small group attended the service. The music director went home for the holidays and Pastor Stanley Carter read the scriptures and led the singing. Outside some of the church members were participating in a live nativity with music playing in the background.

Today was a sunny, cold day and James is getting excited about Christmas eve. We will probably go to church for communion at 5 pm. It will be a long day for James tomorrow. Maybe he will sleep late. You know, I am looking forward to opening my gifts too!


Our youngest son Bill and his 3 teen-aged daughters are in London today, arriving there early this morning from Charlotte, NC, and spending 8 days with relatives. Talked to our other son in Austin, TX today and they are spending Christmas at home (except for the oldest daughter who was at a ski resort in Calif. this week-end and in Laguna Beach, CA for Christmas with her friend and his family). So it will just be Jim, James and me here for Christmas this year. We'll get up and open our gifts and watch the Christmas parade at Disneyworld.


MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!