This Christmas Eve post is from fifth grader McKenna Flaaen. She woke up early this morning inspired and took the time to chronicle her favorite memories and traditions. This December 24th, McKenna is also the narrator at Emmanuel’s Pageant in the Pews. Thank you, McKenna!!

I would like to share three of my favorite memories of Christmas time with you.

The first one is decorating our tree. Everyone has their own bin of ornaments and I love looking through the memories. We play Christmas music and sometimes make hot chocolate. It feels so magical!

The second one is making and decorating “lulus”. Lulus are a family cookie recipe that we make every year. This year I made them three different times. First with my aunt, then with my “Mima”, and then with my mom and siblings. They are really good!

The third one is Christmas Eve. We light the tree, get hot chocolate, get out the milk and cookies for Santa (and carrots for the reindeer, too!), and write him a letter that we put next to the cookies. Then my siblings and I snuggle up on the couch while my dad reads, “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and the Nativity story from the Bible. Then, we all go to bed and hope Santa will come. I love all of my Christmas traditions with my family!

-McKenna Flaaen

Christmas Spirituality The Episcopal Church Christmas McKenna Flaaen Parishioners The Spirit of Christmas Present