Christmas is such a special time of the year. For as long as I can remember, it was a time for families to be together. Laughter, music and of course lots of food. A time of innocense and a time to make memories in out hearts. Christmas time at church was always special. I grew up in a small church where everyone knew everyone. Every year we practiced for the annual Christmas program. Small children sang simple songs in praise of our Lord Jesus. My husband and I rememeber singing the same songs at school. Silent Night, Away in the Manger, Joy to the World, Hark the Herald and so many others. It was a time to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. One particluar Christmas stands in my mind. I must have been around 8 or 9 years old. The kids in our class each had a line to learn. Well it was a few lines. I practiced my lines whenever I could. I had to get it right. My mom got me a new Christmas dress to wear. On Christmas eve, the church social hall was packed with people. When it was out turn, our class filed out and formed a single line. There was a candle lit in the corner. The first person went to the candle and then went back to her spot in line and said his verse. Then he lit the candle of the next person and then she said her line. Then she lit my candle and I said my verse. Christians lit the light That all the world might see The gift of love from God above, God's Son who set us free. I have never forgotten that verse and now that I am older, I really apprerciate that little memory verse. When the service was all over, we filed out. Each child received a brown paper bag filled with fruit, Christmas candy and nuts. I have many happy memories of Christmas time as a child. It truly was the best of two worlds. We got to experinence some our Mexican culture with great food like tamales and capiotada or bread pudding. food and all the great things you get to experience as an American. I know while I was young we visited the grandparents, and we always got tons of gifts. My grandma Louisa was always making us something like clothes or dolls. I remember being the only kid eating breakfast at my grandma Chona's house. Oh yes, I had my grandfather's too! We were a close family. Mbr>My two sisters and brother and I were very fortunate for kids because my mom was the manager for Toy City stores. We didn't get everything, but we ususally had the latest things. I just love to see the old movies that my parents put on videos. We just laugh and smile as we watch ourselves with dolls and buggies and my brother in a red antique car. Another favorite memory was Christmas caroling as a youth. From the time I was in 7th grade until my first year of college, we weould rent a large truck and go to different houses of the church fmilies or convalescent homes. We would sing, pass out cookies and just have fun. Then we would end up at someone's house to drinik hot chocolate eat cookies, and exchange gifts. I grew up going to a Hispanic Methodist church. The adults could sing in Spanish and the kids in English. Many of us were third and fourth gerentaion Americans and sadly, many of us didn't learn Spanish very well. But whether in Spanish or English, the memories are in my heart to last forever! But whethter it was a Christmas from my childhood, or from my adult hood, Christmas is about Jesus because: Smiley: I have lots off good memories. We didn't have much money, but it was a time of togetherness. I always enjoyed eating tamales and menudo with my cousins. My last Christmas while single was nice. I went to Susie's house and her parent said they had a gift for the both of us. So we opened up the box and it was filled with really nice but fragile ornaments. I could see how much Susie and her family liked Christmas and I was happy to be a part of it. I also have enjoyed the Christmas's that we had a new baby with us. Susie has bought them all oranments throughout the year and we all put them up together. The picture below was taken in 1993. Baby David was the baby in the picture with the cousins. Grandma Pedroza set the kids up and this picture was taken and sent out as the Christmas Card from the proud grandparents! Midi is I'll Be Home For Christmas from Arlene's Heavenly Web Pages Contents & Graphics Copyright ? OurFamily4Him/2001 and the graphic artist listed. Our work is not Public Domain, and should NOT be taken from this site. Thank you.