About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. Luke 2:1-7 (The Message)
For the twenty-fifth year, both sides of our family came together to celebrate Christmas at our house. When we moved into this house with its large living room/dining room combination in 1985, we offered to host Christmas dinner. In those years, there were only eleven of us, but over time, the family has grown through marriage and birth. Now, there were twenty at the table ranging from four to eighty. Next year, we will have to add a high chair to the mix. Twenty is actually a smaller group than we have had in the past. One year when my grandparents were still alive and the neighbors and some volunteers from work came, we topped out at thirty. So, while it was crowded, there was room for more at our table today. Because the weather was so lovely, we were able to set up tables and chairs outside on the deck. With the sliding glass door open to the dining room, it was like we were all together, but we didn’t have to move the living room furniture around to fit all the tables inside. Everyone brings two or more covered dishes, my mother in law makes the turkey and dressing and we eat until we cannot hold another bite, then walk around the yard for a while until we’ve made room for dessert. We’ve started a new family tradition with Miss Julia always insisting on a horse back ride so husband got his exercise leading Trucker with an excited little girl on his back around and around the property. Julia is a trip. This morning, she told her mother, “Santa came! My name’s not on the bad list!” When she got to our house, she immediately spied a large chocolate cake with birthday candles on it. Julia has a bad habit of insisting on blowing out the birthday candles even if it is not her birthday. But, today, she was a bit shy about stealing the limelight from the One whose cake it was. I explained that it was a birthday cake for Baby Jesus, but she didn’t want to blow out the candles until He came to help her. When I explained that it was okay for her to do it and I would help, she got excited again. After singing happy birthday and blowing out the candles, she went to find her mother and fussed, “You forgot it was Jesus’ birthday. Why didn’t you tell me?” So many of us forget the real reason for today’s celebration. The gifts, the food, and the love are only a reflection of the riches that God has to offer us. But, most importantly, He gave His Son to die for our sins. Jesus the baby became Jesus the Savior. Our table has grown over time, but some are missing. Today, they were feasting in Heaven with the King whose birthday we celebrate today. Someday, I will be there, too. What about you? There’s room at the table for you!
With the leaf in, our table can accommodate six people comfortably and eight people squished. For larger crowds, we expand into the livingroom with cardtables. But there is no way my little house can hold 30 people!!! It must be quite the gathering for you!!!
Glad you had lovely weather – it rained here but we didn't mind. The kids put together a lego set and played video games which suited them just fine.
Sounds like your holiday was lovely – and like Miss Julia is a blast to have around.
Merry Christmas sweet Cathy!