Saints Notes   December 20, 2011

So, what was the best Christmas you remember?

No, it's not an original question - it was used in a couple of the Daily Devotions I read and it started me thinking and really two immediately pop to mind.

The first was probably when I was in second or third grade at St. Paul Lutheran School in Janesville, Wisconsin (Go, Flames - although at that time we were still the Ponies) and as school tradition called for - we had our entire school Christmas Eve Worship service in the school's gym.  You might be able to picture it - all the bleachers out, every folding chair in the church and school set up and kids setting up the chairs from their desks for the program.  All together, there were more than 1,000 that came together for that evening each year.

This particular Christmas Eve, there were other relatives in town to celebrate Christmas (we usually drove to their place four hours away on Christmas Day), so it was a packed house on Garfield Avenue after service when we got home.  As I walked in, I was surprised and thrilled at the site of a brand new bike - bright fire-engine red Sting-Ray with the chopper type handle-bars and a banana seat - sitting in front of the brightly lit Christmas tree.  It was so cool! Of course, in Janesville, Wisconsin on Christmas Eve - there was too much snow and ice to take it out - so I had to be content with turning laps in our basement and waiting for spring to arrive.

Several years later - I suppose it would have been 12 Christmases later if the above story took place during second grade - this time as a 19 year old was another unforgettable Christmas.

It was the first time I had brought my girlfriend home for the holidays from college to the house, now on Forest Park Blvd, to experience a 'Mossner Christmas.'  That Christmas Eve - after attending the Christmas Eve Worship described above, this time with my seven year old sister taking part, we returned home to exchange gifts and have some Christmas snacks when my family suddenly became tired and went to bed.  In front of the fireplace, with Christmas music playing (albums on the stereo system), I knelt and asked Rhonda to marry me.  When she said yes - the family came back down for more celebration.

That Christmas Eve is nearly 29 years ago and our 27th Anniversary takes place next month.  What an on-going blessing and wonderful Christmas gift she is.

Of course, the best gift of all-time.... took place 2,000 years ago in a small stable in Bethlehem when Jesus came to earth to live, suffer, die, and rise again to save us (you and me) from our sins.  Truly the best and ONLY reason for the season!

Merry Christmas from the Lutheran High family to you!