CONGRATULATIONS! Top 5 Christmas Memory Winners!

During our Christmas Eve program, attenders were asked to complete a card on their favorite Christmas memory for a chance to have their story published on our website and an opportunity to win a Starbuck's gift card. The following are the Top 5 Winners in no particular order . . .

• Taylor, Jodi M, Brittany G, Jan C, Kyle M
• see their stories below...

Jodi M:

"The year our house burned 2 weeks before
Christmas - I was 9. It amazed me to see the generosity of family and friends. We bought
a travel trailer to live in and all the presents
were hidden in the cubby holes. What a way
to remember that it's not about the stuff."

Taylor:

"As a child my parents didn't really celebrate Christmas but my friends
would include me in their Christmas
season events - making gingerbread
houses, going to pick out the tree,
and reading the Christmas story are
just a few of the memorable
Christmas experiences."

Kyle M:

"Growing up in Pennsylvania we would go to
the historic area of Bethlehem, PA with the
old stone buildings and candles in all the windows.
In the basement of an old Moravian Church was
the Christmas "putz." It was a miniature depiction
of the Nativity story where they told the story."

Brittany G:

"When I was 6 I spent Christmas at my Grandma's house. My Papa was there and my cousins too. It
was nice everyone being there. Even me and my brother got along. We shared everything. It was a Christmas to remember because it was the largest family gathering we had ever had that holiday."

Jan C:

"On Christmas Eve when my children were small, we would have a Christmas program. Our boys would play the parts of the wise men and shepherds and innkeeper, and Jeff and I would play Joseph and Mary. We let the kids direct the play and read from Luke 2. What sweet memories to experience the Christmas story through the eyes of children!!"

another favorite...

Kelly S:

"As a child we would gather around Grandma's
piano as she played Christmas carols. We sang;
we danced; we laughed. A Christmas can't
pass without pondering such fond memories!"