The festivities began for us on the Saturday before Christmas, when we hosted a “Christmas Cookie Party” for some church friends. With some help from Mom and Dad’s awesome Christmas box, we decorated the whole house. Rusty even gathered fresh holly from the estate for a table centerpiece! During the party, we ate nachos, played the White Elephant Gift Exchange game, decorated some Christmas cookies, and watched a Christmas film. It was a fun time!
Then on Sunday, we participated in a collaborative church production called The Bethlehem Experience. It’s a variety show of sorts, but before going in, visitors get to enjoy a sort of “pre-show” with Victorian carolers, roasted chestnuts, census takers, and a live nativity scene with live donkeys, camels, etc. Rusty and I dressed up in period costumes and sang as part of the Victorian Carolers. It was such a joy to be among that swell of voices singing familiar tunes to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Next, on Christmas Eve, we took another road trip with Derrick, Dayna, and Hope…this time to Edinburgh, which our local friends said couldn’t be missed at Christmas time! We took advantage of our new Historic Scotland membership (only £4 a month for the two of us and we can go to over 70 historic sites an unlimited number of times) to see the Edinburgh Castle. Then we hit some shops and visited the German Christmas Market. Lunch was a special treat, as we found an American style eatery (The Filling Station) and enjoyed some familiar dishes, and (JOY!) unlimited refills on our drinks. That night, we went to the Family Carol Service at our church in Perth.
LATE that night, Rusty and I went to another service with our neighbor Lynn. We drove to Comrie, a true village just 2 miles down the road and went to the Church of Scotland Parish Church to participate in their “Watchnight” Service. It began at 10:30 (or “half ten”, as the Scots would say) with tea and warm mince pies (a new Christmas tradition for us). We caroled and visited until 11:30 when the actual service began. It consisted of Christmas readings and carols, but the best part was midnight when they announced that Christmas was here and light had come to the world. The lights were put on, the church bells rang, and the congregation greeted one another with kisses and “Merry Christmas”es. Then we sang “Joy to the World”. I have been a part of many congregations that light Advent candles and purposefully highlight our waiting and journey toward the celebration of Christ’s birth, but this was the first time I got to participate in its arrival in such a marked way. It was very moving and the most beautiful celebration of Christmas I’ve been a part of.
Our own Christmas morning was quiet, but special. We slept late, made blueberry muffins, and opened the many generous gifts sent and brought by family and friends. We had a lovely lunch with the Souter family and other guests at Ochtertyre and rounded out the evening enjoying fellowship and games at the Williamson’s.
While we definitely missed our family and friends this Christmas, it was a rich time, full of happy memories and celebration with the body of Christ.
Here's some Christmas Pics
Cookie Party
Christmas Eve in Edinburgh
Christmas Day
1 comment:
Aww...looks like fun!
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