Whew...

We of the Bomberger clan, all ~27 (+/- ?), attended church Christmas Eve. We enjoyed seeing the first childrens' service to include our own grandchildren! Kade and Elanor did very well for the nearly three year olds that they are. The little children sang a song and later were part of the flock of sheep in attendance at the Nativity.
After meetings and greetings of old friends home for visits and driving through the city to see the light displays, we headed to my brother in law's house for our family party. This year we had 27 stockings over the fireplace, all crossstiched by my mother in law!
Well fortified by the traditional Christmas treats such as pfefernusse, oyster stew (or chicken bisque for the faint at heart) and pumpkin roll, we headed to the livingroom to have the gift exchange. This year there was some trouble with the name drawing procedure and so two people recieved two gifts instead of the one and others didn't get a gift from anyone... lest you should worry for those hearty Bombergers, there are always more than one gift anyway, so it was really all good.
I stepped into the frosty night at about 11pm to take my mom home (she's not an *official Bomberger*, but one of the honorary ones none the less, the category reserved for our offsprings' intended spouses...we have, sadly, scared off more than one faint hearted young lady after they get a look at us all together ; ) ) We are a formidable group indeed!
Upon returning to spend the night at the bil's home we had time for a cozy visit in the glow of the tree. Christmas Day we were up early and went to my mom's house to cook breakfast fro the Bernhardt crew. Far fewer in numbers, we eat a leisurely breakfast, open our popers and don our tissue paper hats for the Christmas tree. That is what my mom calls giving the Christmas gifts out. All the children were more sedate and enjoyed each toy or book as it was presented. We readied for Christmas Day church and were seated in the pew by 10:00!

These hectic few hours of celebration and bonding with family, a raucous merry assalt to the senses, pales in comparison to the sweetness of attending church, both the Chrismas Eve and the ChristMas Day services. We hear the story from Scripture once again, we see the beauty in the sanctuary that reflects the beauty of the Babe of Bethlehem, we smell the snuffed candles' smoke rising gently, we touch and taste the elements of the Lord's Table. Christmas Blessings to you all, my dear ones!