Christmas Eve
Yesterday was Christmas Eve, the big event in the Norwegian Christmas celebration. All the family were gatherd together at Gullbotn to celebrate the joy of knowing God Become Flesh, Jesus Messiah, and his salvation. In the afternoon we met with a lot of people at the church at a short but very good Christmas service with songs and dancing, music and Scripture reading. I read a Christmas story which I had written about the Addi the beggar boy. After the service we went back to Gullbotn to enjoy the traditional Christmas meal, "Pinnekj�tt", which is a lamb's rib that has been salted, smoked and dried for months before it is being cooked for two hours. This kind of meal we only have at Christmas time and we are always looking forward to it during the year.
After the meal we stared to distribute the presents to the grandchildren. What a joy to see their excitement when they unwrap their presents. They were laughing, jumping and cheering as they discovered their new toys or cloths. In the midst of it Jakob wanted to say something and had all to be very quiet before he solemly announced: This is the best Christmas Eve ever! That was even before he got his electric train set!
When the parents had put our small grandchildren to bed we continued to unwrap presents for the adults and rejoicing together until early in the morning!
Christmas Eve is the most wonderful evening in the entire year!