WELL, OUR CELEBRATION ALWAYS BEGINS ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THE OLDEST TRADITION IN OUR FAMILY IS "CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT". FROM THE TIME WE WAKE UP ON CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING WE ARE TRYING TO "GET" EACH OTHER WITH IT. HOW IT WORKS IS THE FIRST ONE TO SAY "CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT" WHEN THEY SEE YOU IS SUSPOSED TO GET A GIFT. BUT IT'S USUALLY JUST FOR FUN AND BRAGGING RIGHTS!
OUR TRADITION HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO HAVE A PARTY WITH ALL THE FAMILY THERE ON THE 24TH. WE EAT, THEN THE KIDS OPEN THEIR GIFTS. AS OUR FAMILY HAS GROWN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BUY FOR EVERYONE SO WE JUST BUY FOR THE KIDS AND GET A SMALL GIFT FOR EITHER A BOY OR A GIRL AND THEN PLAY "DIRTY BINGO" FOR THEM.
OF COURSE THIS YEAR, THERE WILL BE SOME TRADITIONS MISSING, LIKE MOM'S IRISH PATATO CANDY. BUT ONE THING THAT WILL NEVER BE MISSING FROM THE VEAL'S HOME IS LOVE.
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I SEE THE COUNTLESS CHRISTMAS TREES AROUND THE WORLD BELOW
WITH TINY LIGHTS LIKE HEAVEN'S STARS REFLECTING ON THE SNOW
THE SIGHT IS SO SPECTACULAR, PLEASE WIPE AWAY THAT TEAR
FOR I AM SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS CHRIST THIS YEAR
I HEAR THE MANY CHRISTMAS SONGS THAT PEOPLE HOLD SO DEAR
BUT THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC CAN'T COMPARE WITH THE CHRISTMAS CHOIR UP HERE.
I HAVE NO WORDS TO TELL YOU OF THE JOY THEIR VOICES BRING
FOR IT IS BEYOND DESCRIPTION TO HEAR THE ANGELS SING.
I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU MISS ME, I SEE THE PAIN INSIDE YOUR HEART
BUT IM NOT SO FAR AWAY... WE REALLY AREN'T APART.
SO BE HAPPY FOR ME, DEAR ONES YOU KNOW I HOLD YOU DEAR.
AND BE GLAD I'M SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS CHRIST THIS YEAR..
I CAN'T TELL YOU OF THE SPLENDOR OR THE PEACE HERE IN THIS PLACE
CAN YOU JUST IMAGINE CHRISTMAS WITH OUR SAVIOR FACE TO FACE?
I SEND YOU EACH A SPECIAL GIFT, FROM MY HEAVENLY HOME ABOVE,
I SEND YOU EACH A MEMORY OF MY UNDYING LOVE.
AFTER ALL, LOVE IS THE GIFT, MORE PRECIOUS THAN PURE GOLD
IT WAS ALWAYS MOST IMPORTANT IN THE STORIES JESUS TOLD
I'LL ASK HIM TO LIFT YOUR SPIRIT AS I TELL HIM OF YOUR LOVE
SO THEN PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER AS YOU LIFT YOUR EYES ABOVE
PLEASE LET YOUR HEARTS BE JOYFUL AND LET YOUR SPIRIT SING
FOR I AM SPENDING CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN AND I'M WALKING WITH THE KING
PLEASE LOVE AND KEEP EACHOTHER, AS MY FATHER SAID TO DO.
FOR I CANT COUNT THE BLESSINGS OR LOVE HE HAS FOR EACH OF YOU
SO HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND WIPE AWAY THAT TEAR....
REMEMBER, I'M SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS CHRIST THIS YEAR
