The Christmas of Candle Glow We never had "silent nights" during Christmas at my grandparents’ house in South Hadley, Mass. Gagnons always celebrate large and loud—just like our French Canadian family. Lights blazed in every room (occupied or not). The Christmas tree sparkled in front of the picture window with its view of snow-covered Mt. [...]

For our family, Christmas celebrations have remained much the same over the years. We put up our tree and decorations Thanksgiving weekend. I don’t like shopping in the cold, so I usually finish up buying gifts early. Throughout December, we enjoy various Christmas programs at church, and take my invalid mom to look at Christmas [...]

Christmas Sauce by Marilynn Griffith Ink-black night stretched out like a sheet above the Chevy Skylark. I wiggled in the passenger’s seat. It was Christmas Eve, and we were late. My mother eyed her watch. “We’ll be there soon honey. Just relax.” Anxious to obey, I turned and counted the gifts packed in the backseat. [...]

My family celebrated Christmas in an unusual way when I was growing up, mainly because of my father’s job. He had to work late at night every Christmas Eve (like starting at midnight) so we would all open our Christmas presents at night so he didn’t have to wake up early the next morning. We [...]

For me, Christmas shopping starts before Summer ends. I’ve been known to purchase gifts as early as June. I know that’s odd, but when you’re on vacation and you find that perfect, special item, you can’t pass it up. This year is a bit different. I’m actually behind on my Christmas shopping, but come December [...]

Christmas Eve Vigil by Robin Bayne “Mom-Mom, I hear him,” I whispered, sitting up slightly in bed. With the covers sliding off, I leaned toward the other twin bed where my grandmother slept, or tried to, during my all night vigil watching for Santa. Cool air touched my skin, but my excitement warmed me. “I [...]

Divine Humanity by Megan DiMaria For as long as I can remember, my mother placed a reproduction antique postcard on the table next to her nativity set each Christmas season. A few years before she passed away, she gave me the nativity set, and in the box was that postcard. It contains a sentiment written [...]

The Coins When I was growing up, each year I received chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, in a bag made of yellow netting. Not until I was grown did I realize those coins were meant as part of Chanukah celebrations, when money, known in Yiddish as gelt, is given. Chocolate coins are symbolic gifts [...]

For years, I felt Resurrection Sunday held much more importance than Christmas. Jesus rose from the dead! Amen. Without that hope, that ultimate proof of Jesus’ divinity and final victory over death, I would have to agree with the apostle Paul. “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be [...]