Wednesday, Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025
We've committed to having guests tomorrow. It's an Open House so there's no knowing how many will come. The details start to fall into place. The rack over the outdoor table gets a few pine garlands. The tablecloth stays in place with weights on the end as the wind kicks up.
We roll out an old school carpet and set up tables. W tapes down the corner to prevent tripping.
He assembles the last few items we need to get things out of the living areas.
Danny delivers art for the entry. W hangs up Indonesian fabric and the batik quilt Kim made for my last birthday. I thread a long red garland through a wonky tree that someone dropped off last year. "Do you think that looks like anything?" asks W. Ah, a garland and red and gold balls and it is something.
Two more little trees emerge from bags. They're sorta decorated, a bit smashed from storage, and the lights are uneven. I don't care at this point and push them into an entry corner. Christmas is coming.
At 4PM, I'm off to the hall to rehearse 12 carols with the worship team. We sing them between scripture readers, telling the Story once again. What a marvel and mystery: Immanuel, God with us. We light the candles and pronounce a blessing on the day and the coming year.
There's feasting! I start cooking before 5AM and the sun rises as I work. Half the challenge is finding the utensils, pots, and trays.
The food is in the pantry freezers. There are extra sauces from last movie night so I don't have to make those.
It's a potluck with lots of food. Long lines to the buffet stretch out the door. Our dear friend DrW sends over her helper IbuEmi as an extra hand for IbuA and IbuS.
We love the mix of cultures and backgrounds who becme acquainted over the course of the day. After the event, some groups of new friends head off to do the next thing together. "I met a wonderful woman, who has so much in common with me," says one guest.
Inside and outside, the tables fill up. People rotate through the rooms, chatting with old friends and new.
Then we read the Story of Jesus' birth from scripture. There are 11 parts, read by people from all over the world. We ask for volunteers: they're Indonesians, Japanese, African, and Westerners, a typical mix. W prays a blessing over everyone -
Finally it's time for raucous fun, the White Elephant gift exchange. Our elves this year are Indonesian and African. They initiate a countdown from 10 to speed things along.
Watching how people flow around the public spaces shows us how the place functions. The marvel of the gift exchange is that it slows everyone down. Young adults are mostly off their phones for hours watching gifts being opened, having conversations, and cheering each other on.
W calls out the numbers and people rush up for their gift or to steal a previously opened gift.
We gather on the Porch for a photo with those who stayed until the end.
And then all is calm after we clean up.
Friday, BOXING DAY
We start with an early morning call to the kids on their Christmas Day. It's wonderful to connect to those in Spokane, Texas, Germany. We miss a call from the others and are missed when we try to return the call. Later. I'm thrilled to talk to Mom and Norm.
The masseuse must have had a long day yesterday. She keeps falling asleep so I can't relax. A Norah Jones playlist is going so I put in earplugs; the melodies about failed romances aren't restful either. Oh well. A massage will help blood circulation at the very least.
The helpers do laundry and tidy up from yesterday's marathon. The workers come to finish the gas installation for water heaters and Robby and W get internet to our office. It's a day of this and that, putting things in place, finding where stuff has landed, and thanking God for the peace of Christ between it all.
Eki and Lyong join us for a dog walking loop before supper. A few days ago, Chandra and Titik dropped by with a chicken pot pie. It has excellent rendang flavor and we finish that off tonight. (This is before the last crumbs were consumed.)
Anna sends over a marzipan stollen from #MomsBakery, her exceptional restaurant. It's a taste of Germany and our childhoods. Yum, so satisfying.
We remember to take a photo in front of the tree with Eki and Lyong before everyone heads off to sleep. We hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season.
Today the chichucks (cicuk) lizards move in. I hear them chirping from our bed for the first time. Ugh. "Be useful and eat lots of bugs."
* The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:8
* Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored; renew our days as of old. Lamentations 5:21
To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11
* The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
* And all who sat in the council looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15
Moravian Prayer: Dear Jesus, open the eyes of our hearts to share your compassion, mercy, and unconditional love with the world.
Christ Child, help us to see you as the greatest gift that has ever been given to the world. May we rejoice in the glory of God’s greatest gift. Amen.
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