Christmas on Newark-Granville Road

This is the time of the year I should be writing the Christmas Update for the Christmas Cards.  We have joined the digital age and keep the cards simple- instead encourage blog reading.  That will wait, just as our holiday and end of calender year with Derby invite cards will wait. Good news- I can check off- "order New Year Cards".   That happened yesterday, after a successful picture was taken on the 25th!  We actually took photos on the 24th that would of worked and then it snowed!  Our white Christmas made for a prettier for backdrop and Eve all the more special.

Christmas Eve is the magical day.  My mother says it is her favorite day, she will call or now text me and say- it is our favorite day - and I do love it.  Why do I love it?   It is still the day about our faith, family and friends. We've enjoyed the preparing and now celebrate the ultimate gift from God. On the 23rd we attended a beautiful funeral celebrating a wonderful life.  A life that gave life, life I'm lucky to have in my life.  A life filled with faith and pursuit of peace. Saturday was wonderful time in the midst of holiday to dos to be reminded of what our faith is- a gift. A gift to be cared for and tended.  Christmas Eve allows us to celebrate and honor our faith as Christians.  And FPC celebrates it well!

First Presbyterian Church of Granville is a special place on Christmas Eve and all year round- join us.  Join us for Family's in Faith for Sunday School.  Join our choirs- boys in HS in particular!  Thanks to all who joined us for Christmas Eve.  I loved the 4:30 pageant/children's choir and then the message and music and the 6:30 service was just gorgeous. All three of our kids in the choir- and the voices. Lucky me- in the back ushering with adult choir members- we sang our hearts out and oh it sounded good!

We went home to long over due family dinner at home. Cocktail hour by the fire,  shrimp scampi on china, and texts connecting to family. Clare took me to see the lights as we ran an errand taking in the beautiful Granville snow glistening landscape.  

Our Christmas morning had delighted children, grateful for their gifts- yay! Delicious and beautiful breakfast treats provided by dear friends. And kitchen time as we prepared for Leithauser Christmas in Westerville this year. The afternoon was very special as fifteen Leithausers all gathered- the sweet one year old on hand to remind us of the simplicity of the season.  Our gift exchange and dinner were wonderful and being together with Joe's family important and special.  Three cheers for dear Ann and Scott for hosting and providing a perfect venue for the crowd.

Christmas continues on Newark-Granville Road. We embrace the 12 days of Christmas and celebrate into the new year.  On the 26th Nana and Pap arrived and we again gathered around the fire place for cocktails, set a pretty table and enjoyed a Stoner tradition- beef fondue.  Beautiful gifts exchanged delivered from Maryland and quality time with my parents made for another memorable night.

Life on Newark-Granville road embracing Christmas meaning- faith, family and friends. Hope and Peace have been a focus this month, Love and Joy abound - a very merry and special Christmas.