December 2020 FRAZIER MINISTRY
HOLIDAY NEWSLETTER
MEMORIES
By Carla Frazier
Christmas has always been a wonderful time of year for me. I have many fond memories of Christmases in the variety of places that I have lived. My early Christmases were celebrated in snowy weather, while later Christmases have been celebrated in warm weather. I will always cherish the memories of being together with family at Christmas, but most of all I cherish the fact that Jesus is the real reason for Christmas. He came to give us eternal life and Hope.
Christmas always brings a lot of joy to me. I guess I like the hustle and bustle of Christmas. I enjoy driving around to see the lights and decorations against the night sky. I love the sound of Christmas music playing while I shop, it gives me such a thrill! I think of the excitement and nerves that come before a Christmas program and the angelic sounds of the majestic songs lifting up our Savior. And let’s not forget Christmas caroling. We delighted in the times our church would go sing to the home bound people and pass out fruit baskets. The weather was frightfully cold, and snow was falling, but we were all bundled up in our coats. Upon finishing the caroling, we would all head back to the church for some hot chocolate, food, and fellowship!
One memory that I want to share from our immediate family is decorating the Christmas tree together while listening to Christmas music. To finish the tradition, we would drink a glass of boiled custard while we watched the lights twinkle on the tree. However, one of the most blessed Christmases for us and our kids was when we first moved to Rwanda. It was our first Christmas outside of the United States. We had just flown from Cote d’Ivoire to Kigali arriving on December 23rd, and we didn’t have any gifts for our kids.
The stores in Kigali didn’t have a lot to offer at that time. I was feeling a bit sad thinking that our kids wouldn’t have anything for Christmas. But God already knew all of that. One of our LINKS churches sent us two boxes filled with toys, games, and candy for our kids. I cried happy tears, rejoicing over the love that church showed to us and how God cared and provided for our desires. God always comes through!
Christmas brings so many wonderful, happy, and warm memories to mind. Down through the years my extended family continue a few traditions. On my Father’s side, we faithfully gather together as a family to celebrate on Christmas Eve. We shared a meal together, with lots of goodies. The Breidenbaugh family Christmases continued with noisy, competitive games, especially dominoes and basketball.
One of my favorite memories of Christmas as a child was going to my grandparents’ house. My grandmother was an excellent cook and was well known for her coconut cream pie. At Christmas she never failed to make candy for all of the family. Take a walk down memory lane with me. It was a cold winter day. The snow was on the ground, but as we entered the house, the aroma in the air was sweet, warm, and welcoming. Aunt Barb and my grandmother made date balls, fudge, and divinity for the many family members that would visit during Christmas. This was always a happy, fun time for all to enjoy.
There were nine children, and their spouses, plus the grandchildren, so grandma had to make a lot of candy. Grandma would keep the candy in the cellar room on the large lazy Susan that grandpa had built for her. There was nothing like that sweet, cold, delicious candy. So, I would like you to enjoy my memory by giving you the recipe for those date balls. May you have a blessed Christmas with many warm and happy memories. But most of all worship the Christ Child!
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