The last few weeks in Kentucky, and I think in a lot of places, the weather has been as crazy as a dog in a hubcap factory!
One day we’re out in shirtsleeves putting up our Christmas decorations, and the next day we’re bundled up shoveling 8 inches of snow from the driveway! We’ve had tornadoes, floods, snow, and ice; days that felt like Spring and days that felt like we live in Siberia — all in one week!
When my mom was still with us, she would always ask about our weather, and she would go into detail about her weather. My husband’s aunt has The Weather Channel playing on her TV 24/7. People are obsessed with what the weather is, what it’s going to be and how to escape the worst of it!
But what can we learn from the craziness that our weather brings us?
In life, things are not always predictable, just like the weather. The other day, the experts told us to expect 1 to 4 inches of snow, and we ended up with 8 inches of the nasty white stuff (can you tell I don’t like snow?). Nevertheless, we were prepared for snow. We knew it was coming. The powers that be closed schools the evening before the snow hit. The cities sent their street crews out to brine the streets. People prepared for it.
We need to prepare for life and our businesses the same way. We know there will be ups and downs; there will be the snowstorms of a slow season or the sunshine of a profitable venture, but we know both are coming.
When we live life or run our business without predicting the snowstorms, we run into trouble. If we don’t prepare for the best AND the worst, we are caught off guard and sometimes unable to handle them.
Life can’t be predicted as accurately as the weather can, but it can be predicted. Everyone should have a “rainy day” fund for the storms of life. Without some type of savings, life hits us like an 8 inch snow storm and we don’t have a shovel to dig ourselves out.
As I look back on all the weather conversations I had with my mom, I realize she wasn’t just asking about the environmental weather, but she was asking about how I and my family were handling the weather, both the environmental and personal weather.
At MY Kentucky Real Estate Assistant, we want you to be prepared for what is coming your way. When we step in and help you with your business, you are freed up to do what you do best — sell homes! Leave the admin work to us, and your business will be prepared for whatever comes your way.
Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful– Albert Schweitzer
Have you thought recently about what really makes you happy? When you think about your life, what brings the most joy, and the most peace, to your soul?
You might say, “my family” or “the beach” or “the mountains.” And I’ll bet you work your schedule around so that you can have time to experience this item that brings you the most happiness. Would you like more time to bask in your happy place?
My family is definitely at the top of my happiness list. My only child, my daughter, just graduated from college. She has grown more in the past four years than I expected — she is more mature, more wise, more caring than the girl I sent to the upper Midwest four years ago.
She worked hard, she saw the world and graduated with almost a perfect 4.0 GPA.All of this brought me happiness. I am very proud of who she is and who she is becoming.
When I look at my career, and I think about what makes me happy in my work life, I have discovered that I want people around me to grow and be successful. I want to be able to look back four years ago and be amazed at what they’ve learned and who they have grown to be.
But I also want them to experience THEIR happiness.
My daughter worked hard for her degree, but when things got hectic and stressful, she isolated herself and put pencil to paper to draw. That creative release has been her happy place for almost 22 years.
At My KY Real Estate Assistant, our business is growing your business. We want you to grow as a real estate agent and emerge as successful as you can be. But we also want you to be able to step away and experience what makes you truly happy.
Don’t get me wrong — selling real estate can definitely make you happy! But there is more to life than real estate. Look back at the top of this email — what did you answer when you read the question? That is what My KY Real Estate Assistant wants to make sure you have time to experience.
By partnering with us, you will have more time with your family, more time to go to the beach or the mountains or skateboarding or whatever it is that makes you happy.
Want to know how? Book a call with us today so we can find out what we can do to help you make that happen.
Last night we had a bad set of storms blow through our area. There was lots of wind, rain, lightning and thunder. Even after the rain stopped, the wind continued throughout the night.
At some point during the night, the wind knocked down one of my garbage cans. The weird thing is, though, that this can was the third in a row of garbage cans. The wind chose to knock down this one and not the other two.
The bad thing about this particular can being knocked down was that it landed right below my bedroom window, and the lid popped open. Every time the wind blew, the lid would bounce against the house and wake me up/keep me up.
Knowing that the wind was strong enough to knock down this garbage can and cause it to dance around all night, I started worrying about my hibiscus plant that I had put on the front porch earlier that day. I had checked to make sure the temperature wasn’t going to be too cold for it and decided to leave it out all night.
This hibiscus plant is special to me as it reminds me of my Grandmother. Her favorite color was pink. My grandmother lived in Canada. You don’t find many tropical plants in Canada, so this plant, being tropical and a vibrant pink, was one of her favorites.
When she died many years ago, my mother made sure that I and my two siblings received a cutting from this plant as a memory to her.
The hibiscus plant I refer to above, sadly, is not the same plant as my Grandmother once had. My cat ate that plant years ago. But I have always had a hibiscus plant in my house since that cat passed away — just as a memory of my Grandmother, and, well, I like pink, too.
So I got to think … why did the garbage can, which is heavy and protected, fall down, while the hibiscus plant stayed standing? I expected to find the plant on its side and halfway down the sidewalk this morning, but it was absolutely fine. In fact, it looked like it rather enjoyed the storm last night.
Am I more like the garbage can, falling over when storms arise, letting the wind damage me, cause me harm and pain? Or am I more like the hibiscus, weathering the storm, enjoying the experience and looking more beautiful once the storm passes?
As I learn, grow and mature, I am becoming more hibiscus-like. Sure, I still have days when I’m more like the garbage can, but I’m letting the wind blow through my branches and teach me what I need to learn.
In the real estate business, your clients are critical to your long and successful career. Do you wish you had more time to build relationships and show properties instead of doing administrative work? This doesn’t have to be a dream. It’s possible to spend more quality time with your clients today!! Let me explain how.
When you first got into real estate, were you told to make a list of everyone you’ve ever met, dead or alive, and craft an email or post card to send out announcing that you were now a real estate agent, ready to help them buy, sell or invest in real estate?
This is a common practice that many brokers still use as a way for new agents to get the word out about their bright and shiny license. Does it work? Well, let me ask you … if you got an email from someone you went to high school with announcing they could now sell you real estate, would you pick up the phone and call them to list your house? No? You’re not alone.
Real estate is all about relationships. If someone you trusted, respected and had a relationship with told you that they were a licensed REALTOR, would you be more prone to contact them to list your house? Probably, yes!
There are some agents out there who are really good at building and maintaining relationships. These agents seldom have to buy leads or spend hours on the phone calling people they’ve never met to see if they could help them buy a home. Instead, they have past clients singing the agent’s praises and telling their friends about the great experience they had working with this agent.
Sure, people read online reviews. They are important in this era of online shopping and social media, but it’s word of mouth from a trusted source that holds the most weight with people.
I remember as a kid having people come to our door selling vacuum cleaners or encyclopedias. They went to every door on the street and maybe sold one product a day. But the Avon Lady, whom you knew, with whom you had a relationship and whom you trusted to provide you with a great product — now that was someone you would buy from, right?
If you have the Next Door app, you know that every day someone in your neighborhood is asking for a recommendation for help with something — plumbing, house cleaning, babysitting. People want to know what others have experienced before spending money on a service or allowing someone in their home. Even more so, they want to hear about this experience from someone with whom they already have a relationship.
Now, when you’re making one of, if not the most, costly decisions of your life — buying a home — you definitely want to make sure that you can trust your real estate advisor. You are going to listen to the advice and experience of a close friend before trusting someone who calls you in the middle of dinner.
That is why building and maintaining relationships is one of the most important things a real estate agent can do. Starting with their very first client, the smart agent builds a mutually trusting relationship, being honest throughout the transaction and guiding them through the decision-making process. But this interaction doesn’t end when the client takes possession of the home. It continues on, throughout the years, as the agent continues to build rapport and trust, so that not only does the client become a friend, the client refers their friends to this agent.
This kind of relationship building takes time and effort, and it is imperative that an agent with a long-term career goal of working with buyers, sellers and investors makes it a huge part of their work day. The return on investment in your time and effort pays off exponentially the more clients you serve. It’s like that old shampoo commercial where you tell two friends about this wonderful product, and “they tell two friends who tell two friends and so on.” Soon everyone is buying this shampoo, or, in your case, everyone is calling you to help them buy, sell or invest in real estate.
With relationship-building such an important part of your career, you need to focus a lot of your time making sure you have your clients’ trust. When you spend time on administrative tasks, you’re taking time away from the most important thing you can do to ensure you have a long and profitable career. Isn’t it time to call My KY Real Estate Assistant to take these administrative tasks off your hands?
Congratulations! You made it through the first month of 2021! The weather in February in this part of the country is pretty volatile. There can be snow, rain, sleet, sun, days in the teens and days in the 60s. We love the sunny days where temperatures promise Spring, but it’s also nice to have a snow day now and then to sit at home and binge on Netflix.
Let’s take a look at the activities and events in and around Central KY in February.
Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 7:15 PM Comedy Off Broadway, Lexington, KY $9.00 reserved seating
Chris Porter, best known for his 3rd place appearance on season 4 of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and his one-hour special “Ugly & Angry,” one of Netflix’s top rated specials for three years, this Kansas City native also had his very own Comedy Central Presents special, and has appeared on “Tommy Chong’s Comedy @ 420” on Showtime, the “Arsenio Hall” show, and on Comedy.TV. Enjoy a relaxing evening as you laugh the stress right out of your life.
Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 7 PM J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar 3191 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington
Join Blake Jones for an evening of great food and classic acoustic covers from the 70s, 80’s 90’s and beyond. This is a free event, so get there early and get a good table and great BBQ! Blake will be there until 10 pm.
Sunday, February 14, 8 PM Clarion Hotel Conference Center – North 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY Liberacion and Conjunto Atardecer
First formed in Nuevo Leon in 1976 by keyboardist Virgilio Canales, Liberación commenced as a rock & roll band, but Canales‘ deep love of the Mexican Regional tradition prompted him to shift his musical focus in the early ’80s.
They broke through when they received three gold records in 1992 for “Entre Nubes …,” an album that is registered as a classic of the Mexican Regional genre. They won a Heraldo Award in the category of Pop Music Revelation and reached triple-gold status once again in 1994 with Directo al Corazón. If you enjoy authentic Mexican music, this concert is a “must see!”
Tickets are $40.00 per person with a maximum of 10 tickets per person. They can be purchased here.
Friday, February 19, 8 PM Cocktails TOO 130 W Tiverton Way #195, Lexington, KY
Magnolia Vale, these beautiful identical twins from Lebanon, KY, will be kicking off the weekend with a great country music concert at Cocktails TOO. They have a new EP on iTunes called “Sunburn.” Be sure to check them out and support local talent!
Travis Tritt – This Grammy-winning, singer/songwriter from Marietta, GA, once the southern-rocking outlaw of country music, is now a 30-year veteran of the Nashville scene who has received multiple awards from the Country Music Association and has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1992.
Ticket prices start at $36 and are going fast, so make sure you pick yours up before they’re sold out!
Whatever you do this month, have a great time and don’t forget to contract with My KY Real Estate Assistant for all of your real estate administrative needs!
On Nov. 3, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill marking the third Monday of January, as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a vital figure of the modern era and a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. His lectures and dialogues stirred the concern and sparked the conscience of a generation. His charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, in this nation and around the world.
Following in the footsteps of his father, in February 1948, at the age of 19, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. entered the Christian ministry and was ordained at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
In 1954, upon completion of graduate studies at Boston University, he accepted a call to serve at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. While there, he was an instrumental leader in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, made famous by the nonviolent resistance and arrest of Rosa Parks. He resigned this position in 1959 and moved back to Atlanta to direct the activities of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
From 1960 until his death in 1968, he served as co-pastor with his father at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee and died on April 4, 1968.
The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 18, 2021, is the 26th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. Please consider using this day to volunteer for your favorite local charity or give monetarily.
Group celebrations of this remarkable man’s life will look a little different this year. Many organizations have decided to forego large gatherings due to COVID restrictions. However, the City of Lexington and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Committee at the University of Kentucky has decided to move forward with the Freedom March.
The Freedom March will begin at 10:00 am. The theme this year is Reclamation, Revolution, Restoration. If you would like to join the march, please line up at the Central Bank Center parking lot on High Street. Please arrive early to get a spot in line. All participants must wear masks and stay socially distanced throughout the parade route. There will be complimentary parking in Central Bank Center lot.
In lieu of the Commemorative Program held in Heritage Hall each year following the Freedom March, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Planning Committee has partnered with Lexington-born filmmaker, Joan Brannon, to produce a documentary focusing on the African American quest for social justice from the Civil Rights era to our contemporary movement. Titled, “Fire and Heart: A Blueprint for Liberation,” the film will go live on the committee’sYouTube channel on Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. The documentary examines racial justice and healing discourse for Black people in Kentucky. Following the debut screening, the documentary will be screened across several area media platforms throughout January and February 2021.
Happy New Year! Who else is glad that 2020 is over and we have a fresh year to explore? Just because it’s January and the weather is fickle, it doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things to do! Here are just a few suggestions for you.
Lexington Vegan Week
This is Lexington’s very first Vegan Week! From January 4 through 10, you can enjoy awesome food at local restaurants! Whether you are a committed vegan, vegan-curious, or just a person who loves delicious food, you’re bound to find something you’ll love!
Here is a list of the restaurants and the dishes they are serving to celebrate Vegan Week.
Bourbon N’ Toulouse (829 Euclid Ave., Lexington) Jackfruit BBQ Sandwich w/Coleslaw and a 1/2 order of Black Beans & Rice. Lunch or Dinner — $10 special
Not Your Ordinary Vegan (1313 N. Limestone, Lexington) — open Thurs to Saturday only Cheeseburger or BBQ Sandwich plate with fries, Lunch or Dinner — $10 special
girlsgirlsgirls Burritos (395 S. Limestone, Lexington) — open Wed. to Sat. $10 It Ain’t Easy Being Green Burrito (vegan) $10 Thai Peanut Bowl (vegan, GF) Sides 2 for $10: * Black Eyed Pea Fritters with hot pepper relish and pickled kale (vegan, GF) * Burgoo (vegan, GF) * Tamale (vegan, GF) * Bloody Mary / Bloody Maria (vegan, GF) * Tahini-Swirl Brownies (vegan, GF) Lunch, Dinner, Dessert Weds-Sat, $10 special, 2 /$10 sides
Good Foods Co-op (455 Southland Dr., Lexington) T.L.T. – this vegan favorite includes tempeh, lettuce, tomato and vegan mayo on 8-grain bread paired Co-op Classic smoothie! Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner — $10 special
The Social Vegan Special Tasting Event Saturday, Follow Lexington Vegan Week for Details
Blue Sushi Sake Grill (105 Summit at Fritz Farm, Lexington) One Specialty Vegan Maki Roll and a bowl of Vegan Miso Soup Lunch or Dinner, — $10 special
FoodChain (501 W. Sixth Street, Lexington) 2 for 1 Salad Kit — order online FoodChain’s salad kits come with all the ingredients for 2 entree salads or 4 side salads. Salad Kits orders must be in by midnight on Wednesdays for pick up on Thursdays between 2-4. Each salad kit has house made dressings, our own aquaponic grown, lettuce, kale, microgreens, and herbs, as well as a weekly changing variety of toppings using local ingredients! Lunch, 2 for $10
Favor Kitchen (574 N. Limestone, Lexington) (pickup only) Roasted Winter Squash Stew with Jasmine Rice and Kimchi-Lentil Fritters Dinner Wed-Sun, $10 special
Elixir Downtown (249 W. Short St., Lexington) Spicy Potato Chimichanga stuffed Potato & Seasonal Veggies with Achoite and Coconut Cream, and Salsa Verde served with a Crunchy Cabbage and Herb Salad. Dinner — $10 special
Moody Mike’s (food truck — call 859-433-7633 for location) Spicy Jamaican “Beef” Patties Dinner Th-Sun, 2 for $10
Whole Foods Market (Summit at Fritz Farm, Lexington) All-Out-Veggie Market Burger. Our plant-full patty features assorted veggies, black beans, oats, flax and sunflower seeds, all seasoned to perfection with a side of skin-on sea salt fries. Lunch or Dinner, — $10 special
Alfalfa (141 E. Main, Lexington) (open Saturday & Sunday)) Vegan Breakfast Bowls: Customer fav. Fried potatoes layered with vegan gravy with vegan egg, vegan sausage, topped with vegan shredded cheese. Garnished with green and red peppers Open ONLY the weekend of this event. Brunch Sat/Sun, $10 special
Zimscafe (215 W. Main, Lexington) Delicious house-made falafel sandwich with hummus, bibb lettuce, and a cucumber, onion, tomato salad all on a vegan bun Lunch or Dinner — $10 special
Smithtown Seafood (501 W. 6th, Lexington) Mushroom Po’boy: tempura with beer mushrooms on a vegan New Orleans Gambino with FoodChain lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. Topped with a vegan remoulade sauce and served with your choice of side. “Tuna” Salad Wrap: Jackfruit tuna salad with vegan mayo, red onion & celery in a wrap with FoodChain lettuce, tomatoes and pickles, served with your choice of side. Lunch ir Dinner — $10 special
Minton’s at 760 (760 N. Limestone, Lexington) Cauliflower Rendang with coconut rice Lunch — $10 special
Broomwagon Coffee + Bikes (800 N. Limestone, Lexington) “Bánh V” Sandwich (Vegan Bánh Mi) – Pickled Carrot, Onion, & Cucumber, Radish, Bok Choy, Marinated Tempeh, Vegan Cilantro-Jalapeno Mayo, Thai Basil, Red Cabbage. Comes with a side of rich mushroom soup. Lunch — $10 special
Gluten Free Miracles (145 Burt Road, Lexington) $12 vegan muffin box for $10 Lunch — $10 special
Corto Lima (101 W. Short, Lexington) 3 Cauliflower Al Pastor Tacos Achiote-sour orange marinated cauliflower, pineapple, onions, cilantro, coconut-cashew crema with beans and rice. Wed-Sun 3pm-10pm, $10 special
David Foster’s Hitman Tour Featuring Katharine McPhee – Foster, who has won 16 Grammy awards, created this musical extravaganza with the greatest hits of his career, including those he wrote or produced for Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé and Natalie Cole. Joining Foster for several songs will be the singer/actress Katharine McPhee, who recently starred in the Broadway musical “Waitress.”At Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH Wed 1/20/21 at 7:30pm.
Living with Dementia: Younger Onset Series – This four-part series is intended for both care partners and their loved ones living with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment, or related dementia to take part in together. Learn what you need to know, what you need to plan, and what you can do to ease the impact throughout the course of the disease. This program will be held virtually or by phone. Call 1.800.272.3900 or email Maggie Cattell to learn more: macattell@alz.org. Program provided by the Alzheimer’s Association. At Alzheimer’s Association, Lexington, KY Tue 1/19/21 – Tue 2/9/21 at 6pm-7:30pm.
Art Show The ‘Paint by Nature: Trees’ gallery is virtually live now through February 26, 2021! Forty-three local artists created work featuring some of Lexington’s extraordinary trees. Artwork is available to view and a link to purchase at LexingtonKY.gov/pbn2020. Ten percent of all sales goes to supporting the work of Hickman Creek Conservancy. Event Info: (706) 614-2971 Event Website:https://www.lexingtonky.gov/pbn2020
Whatever you decide to do this month, we hope you’ll also decide to contact us for your real estate assistant needs. We’re to help you grow your business, so let’s get started!
We are all ready to say goodbye to 2020. Am I right? New Year’s Eve celebrations may look a bit differently this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t party!! Here are some suggestions for how to celebrate. Some cost money and others are free. Let us know your creative ideas for ringing in 2021.
Elkhorn Tavern, Lexington, KY
Located in the Distillery District at 1200 Manchester Street, Elkhorn Tavern’s New Year’s Eve party is just what you need to end this year. They will have live music from local band Uncle Rico, 3 roaring fireplaces, and plenty of food & drinks. Check out their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/theelkhorntavern/) to reserve your spot(s).
Reservation will include two drink tickets valued at $10 each, a champagne toast & 3 courses consisting of: a special Distiller’s Board, Spicy Corn Queso, and a shrimp cocktail served per table. Food will be served at intermittent times designed to keep you going.
Gratuity won’t be included, so be sure to take care of serving staff. They’ll be taking good care of you!
Music goes from 9:30-11:59, then we’ll watch the ball drop & knock this year away! We’ll close at 12:01- we’re kicking you out right after.
Abettor Brewing Company, Winchester, KY
Located at 301 W. Lexington Ave. in Winchester, Abettor Brewing Company is celebrating the end of 2020 with a theme party. They want their patrons to come dressed in their best 2020 chic attire! Bunny slippers, PJs and BBQ stains welcome! Doors open at 6:00 pm but they are only selling 25 tickets, so get yours now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abettor-new-years-eve-party-tickets-131260147635?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
They will have food catered by The Engine House Pizza Pub, a champagne toast and a ball drop at midnight. There will be door prizes and other give-aways. All for $30 per person. Enjoy!
Tipsy Cow Bar, Georgetown
Located at 401 Outlet Center Drive in Georgetown, Tipsy Cow Bar is hosting their own party to ring in 2021. There will be live music by my friend, Paul Groves, as well as John Lovern. Tickets are $10 to $80 ($10 for a barstool, $40 for a 4-top table and $80 for an 8-top table) and can be purchased at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/tipsy-cow-bar-new-years-eve-bash-tickets-134279346139. You must arrive by 8:00 pm but the festivities start at 6:00 pm and go until 2:00 am.
Check out their burgers, which have the reputation as being the best in town and stay for a fun night of music and laughter.
If you’re looking for something more quiet and focused, join this meditation group through Zoom. Life can be joyous when you are with people like you- spiritual and seekers of peace and higher purpose in life.
So join New Year Eve’s meditation session to learn and practice meditation and also unwind with some socialization towards end of session with fellow meditation practitioners and learners.
We recommend joining by laptop for better experience.
My favorite — celebrate at home.
Of course, there’s always the option to turn on the TV and watch all the festivities from around the world in your PJs.
However you decide to celebrate, we wish you a very Happy New Year from My KY Real Estate Assistant! We are here to help you in all your real estate transactions. The more we can take off your plate in 2021, the more transactions you can close!
Everyone has memories of their childhood Christmas celebrations. As a child, Christmas was magical. My mom was a terrific cookie baker, and we always had tons of baked goods around the house during the holidays. We searched Christmas tree lots for a live Christmas tree and placed it each year in the living room, and everyone was invited/expected to participate in the decorating of the tree. There were rules to follow, of course. The smaller the ornament, the higher on the tree it was to be placed. My two siblings and I had each had “our” ornament that we had to make sure only we would hang. I don’t remember exactly what mine looked like now, but I found it every year, and it was a thrill to place it in just the right spot every year.
Once all the ornaments were placed, the tinsel was strewn all over, one piece at a time. No throwing the stuff on the tree. You had to take it out of the package one sliver at a time and carefully place it so that it draped just so on the tree. I remember as a kid hating the tinsel placing mode of the holiday decorations and was glad when I had a tree of my own and the liberty to place garland instead of tinsel.
The final step was placing the star on top of the tree. Typically the only person tall enough to reach the top of the tree was my dad, so we all waited for him to complete his task. Our star was unique in that it had a picture of grown-up Jesus in the middle of the star. I always thought that was a little strange, since Christmas was about baby Jesus. My adult tree has an angel on top.
But all of the cookies and decorating were just prefaces to the best part of Christmas — the Christmas Eve service at church. It was my favorite service of the year. The church was decorated beautifully, we sang Christmas carols as a congregation and heard the Christmas story full of wonder and meaning. The best part of the service, though, was the very last song. Candles were passed around to everyone in attendance. Someone would turn the lights off. Everything was black except for one candle at the front. A voice would start singing “Silent Night” without piano or any other instrument. The person holding the candle at the front would light the candles held by the people to his/her right and left. They would then each light a candle, and that light would be spread throughout the congregation who had joined in singing the carol in 4-part harmony. It is so moving because you really listen to the words and watch as the darkness becomes light, just as the birth of Christ became the light to a dark world.
May you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as you build your own Christmas memories!
