Hi Roseanne and Readers. What a great topic for this time of
year. I’m always interested in learning how folks celebrate Christmas and their
Christmas traditions.
When our kids were tween-agers, we began attending the Christmas
Eve church service. (Yes, they could finally stay up that late.) Our daughters
are now moms with families of their own, so my husband and I continue this
tradition together wherever we are on Christmas Eve.
At our home church, the service usually starts at 11 p.m.
But even before we begin a special hum pervades the sanctuary at that time of
night, and I don’t mean the hum of Christmas carols. The excitement and
electricity in the air are contagious. The soft lights change the usual Sunday
morning setting as the shadows and twinkling lights play off the poinsettia
plants and golden handbells.
The organ, the choir, and the handbell choir sound rich and
round with the Christmas selections. The congregation lends their voices to
familiar Christmas carols singing their praise and thanksgiving to God for
sending his son, Jesus Christ.
Gwen, an outstanding soprano in our choir, always sang “O
Holy Night” every year. No one can ever match the sound and beauty of her voice
as she sang from her heart. Whenever we sing that hymn, I always recall her
lovely voice. She moved to Alabama, and I imagine she is sharing her talent
with her new friends on Christmas Eve.
The last hymn on Christmas Eve is “Silent Night.” During the
singing of this hymn, the minister and ushers light the small handheld candles
each adult is given. The candlelight starts out with just a few candles up in
front of the church. By the time the ushers pass the light to everyone sitting
in the pews, the sanctuary is filled with warm glowing light just as our hearts
are filled with the hope, joy, peace, and love that came to us at Christmas.
Wishing you all the hope, joy, peace, and love at Christmas
this year.
* * * *
Back of the book for Coda to Murder:
Pastor Christine Hobbs has been in the pulpit business
for over five years. She never imagined herself caring
Detective Cole Stephens
doesn't want the pretty pastor to get away with murdering the church music
director. His investigative methods infuriate Christine as much as his deep
brown eyes attract her.
Can they find the real killer
and build a loving relationship based on trust?
Buy Links:
MuseItUp Publishing- http://tinyurl.com/onzwc9u
Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/ap376tb
bn.com and major online booksellers.
BIO- After writing feature articles in magazines,
newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the
world of fiction writing with her first published novella, Sunshine Boulevard, released by MuseItUp Publishing in 2011. Her
latest mystery, Coda to Murder, was
released in February. Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and
travel keep her out of trouble. Spending winters in Florida with her husband
allows Janet the opportunity to enjoy the life of a snowbird. Summer finds her
camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her four grandsons and
granddaughter.
Connect with J.Q.
Rose online at
J.Q. Rose blog http://www.jqrose.com/
Girls Succeed blog http://girlssucceed.blogspot.com/
Author website http://jqrose.webs.com/
Facebook http://facebook.com/jqroseauthor
J. Q. Rose Amazon
Author Page http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/jqrose
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/janetglaser/
You Tube Book Trailer-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9FONg4mJ9g&feature=youtube_gdata
9 comments:
Hi Roseanne, I am enjoying reading about your guests' Christmas traditions. Thanks for including ours. I should mention some churches, due to fire codes, have done away with allowing lighted candles during the service. I miss that. The candles symbolize carrying the light of Christ into the world.
Readers, come on over to my blog today at http://www.jqrose.com/2013/12/tis-season-for-forgiveness-excerpt-plus.html where folks can read an excerpt from Coda to Murder and join in on a discussion about forgiveness. C ya' there!
Thanks, Janet. I'm enjoying reading about them also. It's interesting the different traditions people follow.
Hi Roseanne and Janet. Such a lovely sentiment. Will be over sometime today to your website for a visit. I have a Memory Tree, in that wears years of ornaments, memorabilia i.e. earrings, broaches, bows, cards, etc. They are hot glued onto a small fake tree, crammed so closely together so that just the lights shine through. It's a lovely tradition and there are ornaments on the tree going back to the 60! Every year I get one more and always seem to find a place for it on this small tree. It looks like a jewel in my hallway. Thanks for sharing.
Loved reading about this, Jq. The first year we got married I shopped and picked a special ornament to adorn our tree. Now after 34 years each one represents a place we've been or a special memory. Happy Holidays to you Rosanne and Heather.
Heather, that little tree sounds gorgeous. What a clever idea. You must take a photo and share it on FB. I had tree decorations made by my kids when they were in grade school. Of course they don't last over the years. Very precious memories now.
Marian--what a wonderful way to preserve your memories. Thanks for sharing.
I can remember the first time I was allowed to attend Midnight Mass with my parents and older brothers and sisters, JQ. I felt grown up at last! You drew a lovely picture. I hope you enjoy a happy Christmas, with as many candles as you want!
Thank you, Helena. You have a happy Christmas too!
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