December 24th - Grace

It's been fun recalling some of my favorite Christmas memories and thoughts. Today will be my last blog in this series because I plan on unplugging from the online world tomorrow to spend a quiet day with my family.

I truly have some amazing memories from Christmas. Some are just one time instances, but some are traditions that have been carried on through generations as I have found out. The one true thing that remains, no matter where we are celebrating, with whom we are spending the time, or how economics have impacted our Christmas shopping. That thing, is the person and reason why we celebrate this special day.

In Kidzblast this month, we started our Christmas series by learning how grace impacted the coming of Christ as a baby. As I prepared for that service, the single most impacting thought was how it was God's Grace that allowed Jesus to leave the perfection of heaven to be born into the filth of this world. There are many compelling thoughts regarding the Christmas story...the virgin birth, the shepherds in the field, the angel appearing several times, the stable, the manger. But the truth that started it all was the overwhelming grace that God had, that allowed His only Son to come to our sinful, rotten, filthy earth.

It's hard sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everything during the month of December to really keep our focus on Jesus. I even found myself getting caught up in the festivities this year, trying to create a wonderful Christmas for my kids, and sometimes let it eclipse the true meaning. This morning as I drank my coffee, and the kids were snuggled on the couch watching cartoons, I took some time to look back at all that has transpired this year since our last Christmas. One word kept flooding my hear and mind...grace. Grace to trust in the hard times, grace to trust in the lean times, grace to rejoice in the good times. And then my mind traveled back to that most wonderful first gift of grace - the gift of a father, of his only son to a broken world.

Because I know many of you well, I know that during the next day or two, you will take time to focus your attention on the Savior. As you do, thank Him for the miraculous gift of grace. Thank you for reading my blog this month. Merry Christmas....I pray that it is full of the love of family, friends and Jesus.

December 23rd - The Meals

One of the things I miss the most about not being with my parents for the Christmas holiday is the traditional meals that we have. Both of my grandma's and my Mom are really really good cooks. Somehow this gene has skipped my generation I think (or just skipped me maybe), but I enjoy the challenge of cooking a good holiday meal for my family.

Christmas Eve my Mom cooks an enchilada dinner, something that was passed down from my Dad's side of the family. My Grandma Salazar taught my Mom how to cook her enchiladas after she and my Dad were married, and it's one of the best meals of the year. My Dad also usually finds a hispanic grocer that sells tamales, and we eat those as well. Jason and I do this when we are on our own...except Jason is the cook. He has perfected enchiladas that are delicious. I can't wait to sit down to that dinner tomorrow night.

Christmas dinner is pretty traditional...turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy....and more fairly common foods. A few things that are unique to our family though (as I have found out over the years eating with others on Christmas...) One, root beer that is chilled (no ice) is what we drink at this meal. Second, real mashed potatoes only. Seriously...I was well into my young adult years before I knew what instant mashed potatoes were. Third, dressing is homemade (the kids tear up the loaves of bread the night before). Stove top stuffing was as new to me as instant mashed potatoes when I entered adulthood.

Those are just a few of the many things that are unique to our Salazar/Ferrin Christmas dinners. On Saturday, I have the rare privilege of preparing this meal for my own family. I am looking forward to it, because my goal is to make it feel like home.

December 22nd -O Holy Night

I love Christmas Music. I love listening to it, singing it, and performing it. There have been favorites...my youth drama team in Central Point used to do a human video to "A Strange Way to Save the World" by 4Him. I've seen great things done to "Mary Did You Know" and then there's always "Holy and the Ivy" from my first post.

JJ has grown to love carols this year as well. He favors Silent Night, Little Drummer Boy, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

There is one carol in particular that brings back a funny memory, and I do believe there is a video tape somewhere in my parents house of this event. When we were in Manteca one Christmas for a Sunday Morning service, my Mom and older brother, Jason did a harp/vocal duet to "O Holy Night." The details are a little sketchy, but as I recall, the first service went great. Mom played, Jason sang...beautiful. Then the second service...Mom played, and Jason started to sing, but the microphone stand became a little loose. As Jason sang, the microphone on the stand starting sliding down, down, down. And as it slid, rather than grab it to tighten it, or just hold the mic, Jason bent over little by little until he was bending over singing in to a microphone at about waist level.

This story makes me laugh out loud when I think about it. Something like this, having happened to me, wouldn't probably shock anyone because things like this tend to happen to me. But Jason? Oh no, he is a polished performer and perfectionist. That's probably what makes it even funnier to this little sister.

December 21st - Christmas Shopping

A few years ago I could never understand people's issues with shopping around the holidays. "What's the big deal?" is what I would always think, loving the opportunity to shop for my family members. Then.....then....then I had kids. Then, they grew up a little. Now, I am on the same page as those that dread battling the mall parking lot, or the Medford holiday traffic, or the cranky people in line at Toys R Us.

I remember when online shopping became all the rage. I thought to myself "I will never do that! What's the fun in shopping from home when you can get out there and do it in the store?" Oh you naive, childless, ignorant girl you....

I have to admit, I do still really enjoy shopping in person when it involves the following:

• One, but not to exceed 2 of my 3 children
• A parking space within the same zip code as the store I am intending to shop
• NO rain
• Ample amount of time, as not to become "rushed" and get immediately irritated (this is a side effect of my current pregnancy and may change at a later date!)

I have, admittedly, shopped online this year. Not once, but TWICE. Dear me, I can't believe it. I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg for me...next year I will have four children. One more to shop for, one more stroller, one more car seat to buckle and unbuckle....and? I wouldn't trade it for anything in the whole world.

December 20th - A special gift

Since the first year Jason and I were married, my Grandma and Grandpa Ferrin have been giving us special gifts each Christmas. They started us on our first Christmas with this:

Madelyn broke this ornament on her second Christmas when she was 14 months old, but Jason expertly fixed it, and you can't even tell.

Every Christmas a couple of weeks before the 25th, we receive a package from Grandma and Grandpa with standing instructions that we can open it when we get it. It is, of course the only present that can be opened before the big day! The kids have begun to really enjoy seeing what new ornament or decoration we have received. We have gotten beautiful ornaments, a manger scene, and even a matchbox music box (which is JJ's favorite this year).

This is what we received this year:

I love this tradition that my Grandparents have given us, because now, 11 Christmases later, we can look around to all of the beautiful things that grace our home because of their gifts. What a special thing for us...probably something we will do for our grandkids when they get married!

December 19th - Christmas Stockings

Our internet was down yesterday all day at home so I was not able to post my December 19th blog yesterday. But rather than skip it, I want to tell you about the blessing I was able to be a part of, and receive myself.

I'm not sure how long Bethel has been reaching out to families that ride our bus during Christmas, but I have had the privilege to be a part of the Christmas Stocking drive for 2 Christmases now. Our generous Bethel family fills a stocking for every kiddo that rides our busses, and myself and our faithful bus drivers had the opportunity to deliver them yesterday afternoon. This year was and extra blessing-packed trip because we were able to give away grocery gift cards to the parents (who in nearly every single case have never set foot in our church).

I loved repeating this ritual a few times...Our family drove up to the house or apartment, I figured out where I was going, knocked on the door, the door opened to a delighted face that saw me standing with their stocking packed full of goodies. Then I asked for Mom or Dad and handed them their gift card, and a the "why are you knocking on my door on Sunday afternoon" face became a very blessed, thankful face.

Probably one of the things I love most about Christmas is unexpected blessings. It truly is a season of miracles, and I am amazed at the generosity of God's family during this time. The day we set out the empty stockings, they were nearly gone by the time service concluded - dozens of stockings came back 2 weeks later packed with gifts for kids that might experience a lean Christmas this year.

So, thank you Bethel Church Family for being a light to your community. You have blessed dozens of kids with your generosity, and blessed your Children's Pastor through your support of these special kids.

December 18th - Christmas Dresses

I am a self proclaimed tomboy. Self proclaimed because I don't have anything to hide, and when I was younger I would never have been able to fool anyone anyway. I loved sports, riding my bike, collecting baseball cards, and anything else my brothers were into. I didn't love dressing up in dresses much either.

God must have a sense of humor, because he has given me two very "girly" girls. They love to be dressed up, they love having their hair done, and pretty much just love anything girly. Their Christmas lists consist of requests for dolls, barbies, more dolls and Nintendo DS games that would only be enjoyed by a true girl.

One thing I do love is dressing them up. A new dress to Madelyn and Elyse is right up there with the newest, most desired toy. Each year we try to get them a new dress for the Sunday before Christmas, so today we went to the store to find one. Oh my goodness, what a time we had looking through the dresses. After going back and forth between a couple of choices, they excitedly made their decisions.

Oh what a joyous day tomorrow will be when they get all dressed up (along with their little brother who is wearing the cutest tie and sweater vest). We will take pictures, we will praise them for how beautiful they are, and I will stand back and shake my head, still not understanding how I produced these little fancy young women.

December 17th - Time spent with family

Now that our kids are getting a little bit older, I enjoy the opportunity to have Christmas at home every once in awhile. I would, however, trade being at home with being at family's house in a New York minute.

I love being with our parents, and brothers and sisters. Last year, we flew to Missouri the day after Christmas for a week, and the best part were the late nights playing games, and playing Nintendo with my brother Josh and his wife, Kelly.

When we go to Colorado to visit Jason's family, we sit around the table long after dinner is over and talk, or play Balderdash which is always hilarious. These trips also catch Jason and I up on our movie watching, which is one of the best things about vacation, especially vacation over the holidays.

So, this year, we will be playing things like Trouble, Sorry & Chutes and Ladders. I can promise you that we won't stay up to the wee hours playing video games because we don't have a Nintendo, and let's be honest...Super Mario Bros. is the only game worth staying up until 2:30am to play.

Even though we will miss our family terribly, I'm looking forward to spending extra special time with our kids. And...the years away make the years we get to be together that much more special.

December 16th - The Christmas Tree

I can't believe I have waited until December 16th to write about one of my most favorite parts of the Christmas Season...finding and decorating the Christmas tree. I really didn't know what an "artificial" tree was until I was older and noticed them in other peoples homes. I can't be 100% accurate on this fact, but I'm pretty sure an artificial tree has never graced my parent's home. Since I was little, we would go cut down our tree, strap in on the roof of the station wagon (Christmas Vacation Style), and go home to decorate it.

My Mom would bake a batch of cookies, set out all of the ornaments on the couch, my Dad would get the lights out and put them on, and put on a Christmas album while we decorated. We all grab our own personalized ornaments, or things that we have made in the past. Josh and I had an ongoing argument about one particular ornament - deciding who made it. I distinctly remembered making it in Mrs. Lockwood's 4th grade class, but Josh somehow remembered making it too, so on and on our argument would go until someone gave in.

We all have our favorite ornaments. Some of mine are ones my Grandma Salazar made for me with my name on them, some from teachers growing up, and some just attached to really great memories. When I got married and moved out, my Mom picked out a few of my ornaments to send with me to put on my own tree.

I broke with the fresh tree tradition my first year of marriage, because Jason and I were still in college, and, well...broke. We had a hand me down tree from Jason's parents and used that for several years. It became normal for us. Then this year we decided to get a permit and go up and cut down our own tree. It was a great day as we hiked through knee deep snow to pick out the perfect tree. We brought it home, I made cookies, set the ornaments out on the couch, Jason got out the lights and put them on, and put on a Christmas album. And, my kids fought over which ornaments they had made as we decorated our tree.

December 15th - Christmas Simplified

Often times, we get really caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, rarely stopping to catch our breath, or even focusing on why we celebrate this season. It's probably cliche, but I really think if most of us stopped to take a look at our priorities during the month of December, we may be surprised.

A couple of years ago, Jason and I decided to scale back our Christmas a bit. We don't spend quite as much money as we used to, and we try to focus more on why we celebrate. Our kids didn't even notice a difference. What it has caused for us, however is realizing how crazy our society has become during this time of year. It makes me sad to visit stores and see people with their carts piled high full of hundreds of dollars of gifts, knowing that they probably won't even stop for a second to focus on the reason why we celebrate.

As parents, Jason and I really want our kids to grow up knowing why we love Christmas so much. Our memories are full of wonderful parties, gifts, smells, goodies....and those are all things I want to pass to them as they grow up. But I always want them to focus first on Jesus. I want them to love hearing the Christmas story on Christmas Eve as much as opening that first gift. I want them to think of "Joy to the World" and "Hark the Herald" as praise choruses to their Savior rather than just another Christmas Carol to be sung. And I want the gift of Jesus, God's sacrifice for us, to be something that fuels their passion to have a relationship with a personal God.

I pray that this Christmas, all of the normal traditions in your family and mine will be enhanced by the love and sacrifice of Jesus.

December 14th - A Christmas Carol

This memory is an isolated incident. I remembered it a couple of weeks ago, but it wasn't until yesterday when my Dad blogged about it, that I remembered again.

First, go here: http://louiesalazar.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-own-personal-christmas-tradition.html and read about one of my Dad's Christmas traditions.

The thing is, I remember this movie as well. But I don't have such good memories of it! One year when living in Arvada, (this must be the year my Dad bought the black and white version of A Christmas Carol on VHS), my Dad decided that on Christmas Eve we would all watch the movie together.

I should probably apologize my Dad for what unfolded; an hour or more of whining, eye rolling, and generally bad attitudes among my siblings and I. Needless to say, it became my Dad's tradition and not a "Family" tradition. Sorry Dad.

December 13th - Christmas Books

For as long as I can remember, there has been a stack of Christmas books by my parent's fireplace, or on the coffee table. Their stack is quite large, everything from short simple stories, to a collection of authors, to full novels.

When I go home for Christmas, I grab the latest selections and sit and look through them in the rocking chair by the fire. It's one of my favorite things.

When Jason and I were engaged, my Mom started us with our own book collection. It has grown throughout the years, and this year especially, the kids have had fun looking through the books. One of them is an Anne Geddes picture book that goes through the Twelve Days of Christmas. I think the girls have already "sang" the book to JJ about 150 times this month.

A lot of my Christmas memories are special, and some are just dependable. The stack of books by the fire is just that - dependable. So this year, that's where our stack sits...in between the fire and my favorite place to sit on the couch. I will stop and sit several times in the next couple of weeks and peruse the books.

December 12th

I didn't title my blog today beyond the date because I wanted to blog about what a great job our Bethel Children's Choir did today, and it made me think about Madelyn's first Christmas. Let me tell you how my mind went there...

This morning our Children's Choir sang 2 songs. They were both Children's Christmas classics, Come on Ring Those Bells, and Happy Birthday Jesus. My partner in crime (Children's Choir co-director, Renee Breiholz) and I did something that most would view as a little partial...we chose our daughters to sing solos today. Don't worry, we let everyone try out, and gave out a couple of solos last month to deserving choir members, but from the beginning it was clear that Madelyn and Maylee were the best fit for Happy Birthday Jesus. They, and the rest of the choir did a really wonderful job.

I watched Maddie singing today, and I couldn't help think about how BIG she is. She turned 9 just a couple of months ago, and for some reason it just seems all of the sudden that she is so OLD. It made me think about her first Christmas. She was about 2 1/2 months old, and we went to Oklahoma City to celebrate with my parents that year. My brother Jason came with his family, and Josh was there too. It was a great year. My Dad dedicated Madelyn in their church. I remember the distinct feeling of change that year as I went from being a daughter, to more than that...a mommy. Jason and I had so much fun picking out presents for her, to which she was totally oblivious - but it was fun for us nontheless.

8 Christmases have gone by since then, and every year they have been more exciting as we have added to our family, and as the kids get older they really get into the spirit of Christmas. Today was a good reminder of a really great year.

December 11th - The Child of a Music Minister

My Dad is a Music Minister. He has been since before I was born, so most of what happens surrounding the holiday season at church is completely a part of normal life for me. In fact, my birth was scheduled around the hectic holiday musical season. True story.

The things that happened at church were such a huge part of our holiday season growing up that they are weaved throughout almost every Christmas memory I have. Here are some of my favorites:

• The Christmas Music selection. Let's face it, when my Dad started listening to music for church during the summer it meant we always had the goods when it came to new, really good Christms Music. There are a few songs that still take me back to my parent's living room even now when I hear them.
• Carols By Candlelight. I mentioned this in my first post. Even though that one year I botched my number, this was probably my most favorite service of the entire year. I loved the music, the drama, the stories, and the atmosphere.
• Christmas Musicals. My parents didn't always do a full blown musical, but when they did, it was always good. One year in Manteca, my Dad wrote a musical and I can still remember a lot of the music from it. It was a comedy, very funny...my Dad's sense of humor shows through the whole thing.
• Choir Christmas Parties. My Mom throws an amazing party. I always loved the choir Christmas parties because of the wonderful people it brought together, the delicious food, and the warmest, most Christmasy atmostphere in the world.

As a Children's Pastor we don't quite have as many events that are Christmas related as I did growing up, but I take advantage of every opportunity to make sure my kids soak up as much of the Christmas that goes on at our church as possible. In every one of these memories it makes me thankful for the way I was raised, and the influence of the church on this most special time of year.

December 10th - Advent Calendars

Before the first of December, every year when we were growing up, my Mom would get an Advent Calendar. It was usually a paper calendar with little doors to be opened each day. Each day my brothers and I would take turns opening the door for the day and seeing what was behind it. Sometimes it was a picture or a verse, depending on what sort of calendar it was. It was a great countdown to Christmas.

We celebrated Advent in church as well. My Dad would always lead our church in celebrating Advent the Sundays leading up to Christmas with the lighting of a candle. I remember one year I did this with our Children's ministry in Eureka. It went great until one Sunday we were lighting the candle, and a pretty little girl's hair nearly went up in flames.

A simple memory, but one that made the Christmas season more special.

December 9th - The Sacred Order

On Christmas morning in the Salazar/Ferrin house there is a rule. A sacred order if you will. It has to do with the order in which presents are opened. It goes something like this: present opening happens one present at a time in order from the youngest to the oldest person. When two or more families are together, this order can be cycled through as many as a dozen times, one by one by one. The Ferrins have even been known to stop for a breakfast break.

I love this tradition. I actually love it more now that I am adult, and love to see people open their gifts; especially the ones that we are giving them. I think that is the reasoning behind this rule; I really should ask when this tradition started!

I remember my first Christmas as a part of the Peter family. They do their gift opening on Christmas Eve, so Jason and I went over to his parents house. Jason's Dad, Phil read us the Christmas story out of Luke, then it was time for the presents. I have to admit I was a little caught off guard by what happened next. Phil started passing out wrapped packages and as soon as they hit their owners hands...paper started flying! I think the whole deal was done in a few minutes. I got some great gifts that year - one that I still use often, a Bible from Jason's parents. I just remember being so surprised at my first introduction to the difference in tradition - I mean, doesn't everyone open gifts in age order?? Apparently not! Jason has never really understood the whole present by present Ferrin way, and I don't totally get the free for all Peter way, but it is fun being different.

I have to admit that when we are on our own for Christmas (as we will be this year) we use the Sacred Order method. It's just too much fun to see what everyone gets, and Jason is a good sport about it.

One last thing. The Sacred Order doesn't end with presents. We open stockings from oldest to youngest. Yeah, you heard me. Imagine how long that takes!

December 8th - Watching White Christmas

There are a few movies that are "must watch" movies during the holidays. One is Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. Of course we catch A Christmas Story sometime during the Christmas Eve marathon, and I try not to let a season go by without watching Home Alone. We just added Elf to this year's rotation of Christmas movie classics in our family.

I'm not sure when I first developed my love for the 1954 movie "White Christmas." I know it's a classic, and I know that everyone has seen it...but I LOVE this movie. It is tops on my list of favorite movies of all time. There's just something unique and wonderful about the characters, the music and the storyline that I can't really explain.

Each year my Mom and I would make it a priority to watch it together. We still do when we have the chance to be together for the holidays. When I was in my last year of college and first year of marriage, my Mom mailed me my own copy of White Christmas. So when I miss out on watching it with Mom by my side, Jason will watch it with me.

As much as my kids love music, I will probably get them hooked on this movie before too many more Decembers fly by. I haven't watched it yet this year, but I will soon!

December 7th - Christmas Pajamas

Parents, you may not realize the impact that traditions have on your kids, but believe me, you will probably be surprised one day when you hear them talk about the things that were most meaningful to them. There is one tradition that I loved so much growing up that I have carried it on every year with my own kids.

Every year on Christmas Eve my Mom would pull out a brand new pair of Christmas pajamas for all of the kids. I loved putting them on and wearing them that night, and likely for several hours the next morning. There was just something about a brand new pair of warm, cozy, festive pajamas that made Christmas more...well, Christmasy.

I don't remember the exact year that ended for me; but I think I was in college. On Christmas Eve, there were no pajamas. My Mom had just assumed I had grown out of that desire I suppose. When I expressed my sorrow over the lack of pajamas and the fact that I had indeed NOT grown out of it...she rushed out and bought me a pair. I'm pretty sure that was the last year, because shortly after I got married and now I have passed the tradition down to my own kids. I hope they love it as much as I used to.

December 6th - The big Disneyland Surprise

I am sure that most of us have one magical, over the top year that we can remember from our childhood Christmases. I had several where my parents got me something memorable, but there was one year in particular that they pulled of the greatest surprise a kid could want.

One year on Christmas Day, and after the present opening had taken place, my Mom and Dad sat down and pulled out a puzzle that simply had three pieces. As they sat on the couch holding the puzzle, they had Jason, Josh and I one by one each take a piece and read a clue that was written in my Dad's handwriting underneath the puzzle piece. I cannot remember all three clues, but I do remember one was something about bringing your walking shoes. At the end of the three clues, we had to guess what they all meant, and the conclusion? We were leaving the very next day for Disneyland!

I don't know if you have seen those commercials lately where parents surprise their kids with a trip, saying something like "we are getting on an airplane in the morning..." and the kids freak out with excitement. I remember a similar celebration in our living room - jumping, shouting, hugging, laughing... And the next day we left for Disneyland.

Jason and I haven't had the opportunity to take our kids to Disney yet, but when we do, we have already decided we are going to make it the surprise of a lifetime.

I know in the beginning I said that these memories weren't in any particular order, but this one is at the top of my favorites!

December 5th - Luke 2:1-14

For a few of my elementary school years, my brothers and I were able to attend a Christian School. Our family could name countless memories from that time - it was great because my Dad's church office was at the school, and my Mom was the school secretary so we were all in the same place during the day.

Every month in every grade we had a passage of scripture to memorize. In December each year it was the same...Luke 2:1-14. We would work on it for weeks, then recite it to our teachers. I can still recall most of it from memory. Even though memorizing scripture can be a chore, it truly is a treasure within my heart now that I am an adult. So, when I hear any reference to Chapter 2 of Luke, it reminds me of that special time at Manteca Christian School when we received that valuable assignment....to hide God's Word in our hearts.

December 4th - The Story of Wallace Purling

My Dad loves Christmas more than anyone, which is probably why I have so many rich memories of that time of year. He has the ability to make Christmas special, and not just for our family, but for the entire church. As a Music Minister, he has always been able to put special touches on the Christmas season to make it a memorable time for the church family.

One of the ways that he does this is by telling stories on Sunday mornings throughout the Christmas season that he has picked up over the years. They vary most of the time, but the one story that makes an appearance every year is the story of Wallace Purling. He loves it so much that he just blogged about the story the other day.

You can read it here - http://louiesalazar.blogspot.com/2010/12/trouble-at-inn.html

More so than the story, what I love is the joy in which my Dad tells it. Over the years, I am pretty sure that he added a detail or two to make the story more compelling. I won't get to hear the story in person this year, but it's nice to have the memories of all of the times I have heard it. Perhaps I will tell it to the kids in our church one Sunday morning this year to continue the tradition...

December 3rd - The year we got Nintendo

If you are in your late 20's or 30's, chances are you had a Nintendo when you were in your preteen/teen years. One year, that was the main wish for my brothers and I...The Nintendo system, complete with Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt. My Mom always had us make our Christmas lists, and I have to say that most years unless it was just completely outrageous, we got the "most wanted" thing on our list.

Christmas morning came that year, and as we came downstairs our "big gift" was usually out and unwrapped. We raced down, and there were presents, that's for sure - but no Nintendo!

We unwrapped our presents one by one (this is another tradition for another day), and one by one, we got some great things, but still no Nintendo. I remember as we opened the last gifts, Jason and I looked at eachother with a dissapointed shrug, and I thought "maybe next year." It was right about that moment when my Dad said "hey, I think one of the presents might of got left in my closet..." He didn't even have the last words out of his mouth when Jason, Josh and I tore up the stairs, practically climbing over eachother in a mad scramble to reach the coveted gift waiting. Of course, it was the Nintendo. Days and days of Nintendo playing followed... a great memory.

I love the excitement on my kid's faces when they open that one gift that they have been hoping for. I'm pretty sure my parents remember this day as well as I do...it was one of the best!

December 2nd - Salazar Christmas Eve

There was a period of time when I was in elementary school where we lived in Manteca, California for a few years. During this time, we lived remarkably close to both sets of my grandparents. I know now that I am in full time ministry and live 1,000 miles from the closest set of our parents, what a gift this time in our life really was.

We lived about 30 minutes from my Grandma & Grandpa Salazar, and so Christmas Eve during that time meant a trip to Turlock for a night with Dad's side of the family. I'm sure my parent's marriage was God ordained simply because the Christmas holiday worked out so well in terms of their traditions: Salazar's celebrated on Christmas Eve, and Ferrin's, Christmas morning!

Christmas Eve nights were very fun; we always had a big enchilada dinner and lots of family time. The most memorable thing about that night for me every year was when everyone would gather in my grandparents "front room" (living room) to watch my brothers and I put on a little show. It always was a sampling of things, perhaps a song we had learned from a musical we were in, maybe a skit, or when we got a little older, a song on our instruments. I'm sure our performances were mediocre at best, but I know that my Grandma loved them because to this day, when we talk on the phone during Christmas she brings it up every time.

I didn't realize then what a treasure it was to celebrate Christmas with extended family every year. Now that we plan a year in advance to fly 2,000 miles or drive 1,000 to parents houses for Christmas, it is an even more meaningful memory.

December 1st - "The Holly and the Ivy"

I am blogging the next 25 days about some of the greatest memories I have from Christmastime. If you didn't read my previous post, it will explain my thoughts a little more. These memories aren't in any particular order!

I think it started sometime in Junior High, maybe High School. I was pretty new to playing the flute - I started in 5th grade. One year though, my Dad pulled out the Mannheim Steamroller classic "The Holly and the Ivy" for he, my brother Jason and I to play together. I played my flute, and Dad and Jason played the keyboards, and I must say, it sounds pretty close to the real thing! Every time we have been all together (which doesn't happen very often) we play this for a service in church. This memory is great in itself, and I think about it every time that song flows through our playlist during the Christmas season.

There are two stand out years though. First, one year we decided to get my little brother, Josh involved. So Dad pulled out some finger cymbals and bells and Josh worked at figuring out the rhythms. Well, apparently, it is an amusing sight to see a 16 year old teenage boy who is not exactly known for his musical prowess among the youth in the church to stand up on stage with a tiny pair of finger cymbals and play a "ding" here and there in a classical piece. Jason and I have a little laugh every year about it.

The second one, although not funny at the time, is very funny now. The opening of The Holly and the Ivy is played on a recorder. I had always played it on my flute as I wasn't exactly the most proficient recorder player. One year, I had the brilliant idea that it should sound as authentic as possible. I came home for Christmas break from college, Dad bought me a nice wooden recorder, and I set out to teach myself to play. Then came "Carols by Candlelight." I stepped up to play the recorder part, very nervously because I was nowhere near confident. What came next was a total train wreck. I started. I squeaked. I started over. I squawked. One more time. Nope. Couldn't get it. I glanced back at my Dad, who had a slight look of panic, then he told me just to play it on my flute. I did, it was great, memory made.

I was appalled that night, but it quickly became a family joke. That was probably about 13 years ago, but we joke every time we play together that "I should go grab my recorder." I still have that dumb thing. I have no idea why...

25 days of Christmas

I am not the most committed blogger. I could never write a book because I suffer from writer's block nearly everyday. However, today is December first, and very much my favorite month. Partly because it is my birthday month, but mostly because it's Christmastime, and entirely "the most wonderful time of the year." I got to thinking yesterday about all of the wonderful memories I have surrounding Christmas. I most certainly have more than 25; some of them as recent as last Friday when we took the kids all bundled up and went searching in the hills above the Rogue Valley for our first "real" Christmas tree.

Pastoring kids and parenting kids are the two things I am most passionate about. I think that this probably has a lot to do with how well I was brought up, and the wonderful memories I have from my childhood, both in the church and at home. A lot of these memories come from the Christmas season. So, bare with me over the next 25 days as I share some of my favorites. You may not read them all, but I can guarantee one thing...my Mom will!

Merry Christmas!