Licata Family Christmas

RUFUS SAYS: "HAPPY HOLIDAYS...is what terrorists say. MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Well there hasn't really been a request for this, but I figured I'd tell our loyal readership what we do on this Eve. Em and I started dating when we were still in HS and for several years we did not really see each other over the 24th and 25th, each doing our own thing, going to our family churches and basically treating the holiday like family time, not boyfriend/girlfriend time. I went to Midnight Mass by myself (in addition to the fam going to church that afternoon together) for a number of years until Emily joined me my Sophomore year of college. We opened gifts at my house after Mass since we were going to be spending Christmas day apart. Ever since, we've done Midnight Mass and gifts afterward as our routine. It was nice to just have a few quiet moments together in all the hustle and bustle of family dinners and other gatherings. This will be Christmas number 7 of Midnight Mass and gift exchange.

Em's favorite part of this whole thing is the hour of caroling before Mass starts at 12. She's usually a moderately timid singer in church, but tonight? Oh...tonight she will belt "O Holy Night" like shes in a volume contest with one of the three tenors. I just enjoy the spectacle.

I have a feeling that our late night church tradition will be going on hiatus for a few years, but I think we'll still open a couple presents after the kid(s) are in bed on Christmas Eve, that is until they're old enough that we can bring the entire fam to a church service that ends at 1:30am. Or the kids can just sleep in the pews (my brother Nick was particularly adept at this as a youth).

This season it's been really great to have Advent line up with our own anticipation of our little guy's arrival in just a few short months. Lots to look forward to.

As a closing, I just want to take the opportunity to state how proud and grateful I am for Emily's rock-star performance as an expectant mother. I have zero stress or apprehension about her management of her own health and well-being, and that translates to the kiddo.

In this season of pondering the mystery of the most important motherhood and birth of all time here is a scriptural reflection on the blessing my own wife has been:

Proverbs 31:

10

When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.

11

Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.

12

¹ She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.

13

She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.

14

² Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar.

15

She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household.

16

She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17

She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms.

18

³ She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed.

19

She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.

20

She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.

21

She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed.

22

She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing.

23

Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land.

24

She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts.

25

⁴ She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.

26

She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.

27

She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness.

28

Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:

29

"Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all."

30

⁵ Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31

Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Em has the charm and beauty too, fleeting though they may be. Thankful for my wife and child this Christmas Eve.

From our family to yours: Prayers for a restful, joyful, and (very) Merry Christmas, and a peace-filled and blessed new year!