Merry Christmas 2005!

Christmas each year begins in our household with the selection of a jingle bell. Some are tiny. Others are as big as an orange. A few are on a strand. We then get in a single-file line, with my father followed by the host or hostess of the house at the front of the line. This year, the line will be 16 deep. The merriment then begins. Following a long family tradition, we all sing "Jingle Bells" from room-to-room before descending upon the Christmas tree and stockings.

The last rendition of "In a one horse open sleigh" ends at our destination where we find out that, in-deed, Santa Claus has come again, this year.

This Christmas, we are in Portland, Oregon.

Fortunately, our ten-foot tall beautifully trimmed Christmas tree at home in San Francisco is being enjoyed by some friends from our home church.

Speaking of church, since Christmas falls on Sunday this year, the question is whether to go to the Christmas Eve service and the Christmas morning service.

While all dozen plus family members in our household are Christians, most but not all of us will go to both services.

My brother, who built a house out of hymnals last night under the pew with his two year-old son, and my sister-in-law, who held my five-month hold nephew in the back of the church during the 3 o'clock children's Christmas Eve service has opted not to go. Perhaps they are also too embarassed to go to church with a group of kids, big and small, who are not afraid to wear their p.j.s to church on Christmas morning.

The other adults in the house, however, are in support of taking our focus away from Santa and perishable presents for a moment. This is an opportunity to turn to the real reason our family celebrates Christmas ... the birth of Jesus.

Jesus Christ is God's gift to us.

As Fuller Seminary's President Richard J. Mouw said:

This good news of great joy for all the people is just as much a reality for us now as it was when the angel came to the shepherds with that incredible message.

The gift of the Christ child who forever changed humanity will indeed change our lives as well.

In the little town of Bethlehem, where Jesus is said to have been born, Christians mark their homes by placing a painted cross over their door.

Each home displays a homemade manger scene.

In the village square, a star is set up on a pole.

On Christmas Eve, the Church of the Nativity, hosts a dramatic annual procession. Galloping horsemen mounted on Arabians lead the parade. They are followed by solitary horseman carrying a cross and sitting astride a coal-black steed. The churchmen and government officials follow. The procession enters the doors of the church and places an ancient effigy of the Holy Child inside.

This year, Patriarch Michel Sabbah kicked off Christmas celebrations by carrying a statue of the infant Jesus through the Church of the Nativity.

Winding stairs lead to a grotto where visitors find a silver star marking the site of the birth of Jesus.

In Sweden, the celebration of Jesus' birth and gift-giving takes place all on Christmas Eve. In America, children are sent off to bed to dream about Santa Claus climbing through the chimney. But in Sweden, Santa Claus comes in through the front door bearing gifts before the kids go to sleep.

Wherever you are this Christmas holiday, Rugged Elegance prays the Holy Spirit will descend upon you and fill your soul with love and hope.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, spirit-filled living!

~Jennifer Carolyn King