103rd Christmas

 My family had the joy of sharing Grandpa's 103rd Christmas Eve with him! While waiting for supper for Mom, Dad and Grandpa (Elsa and I packed our own), we brought Christmas into Grandpa's world, so narrowed by very little hearing and near-blindness. Though he can no longer come up with names of favorite carols, he "sang" along with some! And in this photo he was intently listening to the Christmas account from Luke chapter 2.

Next came a cozy meal at our own table set in the quiet family room of the nursing home. 

Thanks to my aunt, Grandpa got to enjoy some favorite Norwegian treats: lefse and flatbread. Mom also brought lingonberry sauce from the freezer so he could have some traditional flavors along with his hamburger and soup.

We all missed Grandma and her wonderful hostess role on this night with so many memories. (See this post for photos and memories.) But we reminded Grandpa how she, our Dorothy, and Dad's special parents are now celebrating better than ever... think of it, with Jesus Himself! 

Back home we finished the evening with a special, live-streamed service from the church of Pastor Allistair Begg, followed by our advent reading and more singing together with the piano and Dad's trumpet! 

"Angels from the realms of glory...

Shepherds in their fields abiding...

God with man is now residing!"

Merry Christmas!