Christmas Celebration 2014

December is so much fun.... for kids. First, the thought of Christmas for them means presents... not a lot of them, but they are expecting at least one from us and one from Santa (as it is in our family tradition.) Second, is the Christmas vacation. Two weeks not waking up early, TV all they can until late at night, play and more fun stuff.

But for me and my husband, this is also work month. Both of us is working in Food and Beverage division. Him, working at a hotel in Paris as a "cuisinier," and I on the other hand is working at one of the restaurant at Disneyland Resort Paris. December is one of the busiest month, imagine that.

Luckily for my husband he can get few days off while me on the other hand cannot. Actually on the 24th, I still need to work. Although, they let me off a little bit earlier, it's not the same as not working that day.

Anyway, we cannot stop Christmas from coming so I just took advantage of the rest of the hours that is left before Christmas Eve to buy our kids their presents. And the most important for our family is to celebrate the Midnight Mass that will begin with the Christmas Carol at 21h30 and The Holy Eucharist that will follow at 22h00.

Every mass that we attend during Christmas Eve is special but this one is much more special because our youngest was chosen to carry and bring baby Jesus into the manger. She was shy and nervous so the priest decided that I walk by her side just to guide her.

Our youngest is already 4 so it's just normal for her to ask questions. And Christmas season is a time when kids ask a lot... a whole lot of questions. Having to bring baby Jesus to his manger thought her one thing: that Christmas is not really about the presents, Christmas is the birth of Christ. And taking Christ out of Christmas, wouldn't be "Christmas" at all. It would just be a celebration like any other. But because it is for remembering the birth of Christ, it makes it more special and magical for her.

After the mass we left and arrived at home exactly on the Christmas Eve itself at 00h00.  Christmas dinner was celebrated by just us four because the little one already slept before we were able to prepare the table. It was a simple dinner between us, yet meaningful to each and everyone.

After dinner, our tradition is that for the kids to open their Christmas presents even it is in the wee hours in the morning. Our youngest woke up (without meaning to) and were able join us in the opening of gift. You can see in their faces that they are happy to received such gifts. They were not the most expensive gifts but as we always thoughts our kids, they are luckier than those kids who can not even celebrate simple dinner with their families. Either because of such circumstances as financial, or their parents works abroad, or separate families or no one or no families to have dinner with.

We have so much to be grateful for, though we may not have a lot at least we have enough. That's already happiness for us.

Hope each and everyone of you had a meaningful Christmas!