Jeg er så glad hver julekveld...but are we?

Some of my fondest memories at Christmas seem to all stem from my Grandma Margaret (my dad's mom)...she was fiercely proud of her Norwegian heritage and she would speak of it often; it was during Christmas time that I most clearly remember how she passed on the things that were truly important to her.

One tradition that my mom has been able to keep alive is the tradition of making potato Lefse. My mom has over time taught all of us (the kids) how to make it and even the grandkids have taken up the tradition. 

Growing up, the only time we made it was on Christmas Eve. I remember (especially as I got older) my mom and Grandma in the kitchen making it, usually after our Christmas Eve service. I hated this. Mainly because it delayed opening our ONE Christmas Eve present. Also, I was usually starving at this point. Usually I ignored the Lefse because we would also have meatballs. I like meatballs.

Our Christmases in Vienna have been much different than our normal tradition...mainly in that we have really had no "normal" Christmas celebrations. This year has been different in that we had no plans of any sort. 

Not having any plans kinda sucked. We missed family back in the States and we didn't have anything going on to distract us from this.

So...it has worked out that this Christmas is different. But it's the same. Rebecca made meatballs. Justin and I worked on the Lefse. We enjoyed our little Christmas meal together. 

One thing this Christmas has also reminded me of is another Christmas tradition of Grandma Margaret's. Every year we were together (and I imagine she did this every year), before heading off to the Christmas Eve service she and my dad would sit down at the piano and sing a Norwegian Christmas Carol...

(for the record...I still can't listen to this song without crying. Ironic.)

Sometimes its hard for people to feel glad at Christmas time. Really hard. For us it reminds us that we are thousands of miles away from our loved ones. It reminds us of all our family members who have passed on.

Most importantly it should also remind us of the One who came to be with us.

I read an article today called "The Violence of Christmas"...in it the author summed up why we celebrate today. 

"And remember, most of all, that the violence and humiliation of Christmas happened because God loved us enough to suffer all of it on our behalf and by our side. In Christ, we never have to be alone in our sorrows, pain, and humiliation again. The one who made the world entered it as a child and experienced all of its hardships and injustices so that by God's grace, he could be our comforter in the years to come.

Which is why at advent, we proclaim:
"Comfort, comfort my people,"
says your God.
"Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.
Tell her that her sad days are gone
and her sins are pardoned.
Yes, the LORD has punished her twice over
for all her sins."
Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting,
"Clear the way through the wilderness
for the LORD!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland
for our God!
Fill in the valleys,
and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves,
and smooth out the rough places.
Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
The LORD has spoken!"
(Isaiah 40:1-5)"

And that is why it's ok that we hurt sometimes. This is reason for the incarnation; God became man to save man. But also, to comfort us when we weep.

So yes. We are glad during this Christmas time.

Even if it's hard to smile.