My hopes for Christmas this year were pretty simple: don't get sick. After spending last Christmas day in bed with a stomach virus (with Meredith next door in her bed with the same virus!), I just wanted to be healthy for the day. I'm glad to say this year's Christmas met and exceeded my hopes!
My parents drove all the way from Big Sky country (Montana) to be with us for the week. On Christmas Eve, we had a special service at the Doerfels' house with lots of hymn singing and Scripture reading. I gave a brief devotional message on the sacrifice God made in giving up his Son for our salvation. Part of the message was telling the story of the "Gift of the Magi", by O. Henry. If you've never read this story, read it sometime. You'll enjoy it.
We had a "normal" Sunday morning (as normal as it gets on Sunday mornings!), getting ready for church. We had a good time of worship and fellowship at church. (I'm glad to say that nobody suggested we shut the doors for Christmas day!)
After the service, we came home to eat and open presents. My mom made Swedish Tea Ring, a Johnson family tradition. After lunch, the fun began. My favorite gift was from my wife (with some help from her parents) - promised airfare, lodging, and tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals game. Since they are playing in a brand-new stadium next year, I can't wait to go and check it out. My second favorite gift was an mp3 player from Robyn's dad. I felt like a little kid again playing with my new toy as I tried to figure out how to use it. I'm still working on it. The highlight of the gift opening was the unveiling of a home-made dollhouse that my parents made for the girls. My mom spent hours creating this cute little two-bedroom home, complete with furniture, decorations, a five-member family, and even a little golden retriever. The girls loved it, of course!
The next day, Monday, this being an Oklahoma "winter", my dad and I played 18 holes of golf in Chickasha. Then, for the next few days, we did some fun things with my parents: going to dowtown OKC, watching a video ("Bambi"), and playing two games, Cranium and Settlers of Cataan.
All in all, a great Christmas! Only 360 more days until Christmas next year!
Posted by Pastor Scott at December 30, 2005 9:23 PM
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