{dear friend}

If I had to sum up this year’s Christmas in a sentence it would be this:

A happy, simple and relaxing time filled with love and food and family.

What could be better than that?

Christmas Eve we sung our favorite hymns at church, and lit candles during silent night. There is something about Christmas hymns that always brings tears to my eyes. I get all choked up and emotional and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

One of my very favorites:

Angels we have on heard high
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

See him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

And one more, because this one gives me the chills:

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
Come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

We had Christmas Eve dinner in my grandmother’s apartment, which is in the lower level of my aunt and uncle’s house. When we’re spending time in Greenwich we really don’t have to leave the house if we don’t want to. Everyone’s under the same roof and it’s just the way I like it. It’s the ultimate opportunity for being lazy and I relish in it.

We had a quiet Christmas Eve, but a special one nonetheless.

We had chicken noodle soup and bylosh (Czechoslovakian cheesy bread that is yum, yum, YUMMMM).

We had holy bread and honey.

And we finished the night off with pecan pie.

Christmas day was filled with presents and smiles and we all enjoyed being with baby Hope on her very first Christmas. Oh, that little girl is so sweet I could squeeze her. And squeeze her a million times I did.

There were sparking lights.

And coffee and cookies.

And wrapping paper that covered the floor.

There was family.

And memories.

And prayers.

And thankfulness.

We really did have the most relaxing weekend (and it’s continuing throughout the week), which is exactly what I’ve needed. Christmas vacation is the most wonderful break for a teacher. It comes at a time when all is crazy in the classroom and everyone (kids and adults included) just needs some time off.

I’ve been wearing my slippers from sun up til sun down, watching movies, catching up on reading, and have spent a fair amount of time looking at lovely things on Pinterest.

It’s been nothing short of peaceful.

A Merry Christmas indeed. How was your holiday, everyone?! Hoping it was filled with joy and love.

This year and always. ♥♥