MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

This year I had the privelege of celebrating Christmas Eve with Frank and Betina. In Denmark Christmas Eve evening is when families gather to celebrate. After going to a church service where Frank was playing the base, we traveled to Franks childhood home, built by his father, in the country. On the way Frank and Betina told me everyone's names and the relations, we listened to a chrismas CD Frank had produced a few years back and then we prayed for our housemates spread throughout Scandinavia this holiday evening.

We were welcomed with of hugs and introductions and I was given a tour of the house. Frank's mom, Ellen, was in the kitchen cooking with his sister, and I think we had an instant connection. It may be that we share the same name, but I still think she is one of the sweetest ladies I will meet! It was so nice to see Emily there, one of my dear housemates who happens to be Frank's niece. The last touches on dinner were made and the family was gathered. They began by singing a danish prayer and then we ate and ate and ate. We ate duck, pork, brown potatoes (they were actually white with brown sugar and butter on them), rodkal (red cabbage) cooked, red cabbage/fruit salad, brown gravy, boiled potatoes, and potato chips. Yes, I was a bit surprised at the potato chips too. It was all delicious!

Then the food and dirty dishes were cleared and new plates were placed for dessert. Risalamande is the traditional dessert, it is a rice pudding with chopped almonds and topped with a cherry glaze. This dessert is actually a bit of a game. There is a whole almond mixed in the dessert and whoever gets it wins a present. Traditionally the trick is to hide it until all the risalamande is eaten and then the winner pulls it out for all to see. However, the three youngest at the table found the almonds (there were three because we were so many), and they were too excited to hide it. It was a great time, and I was glad they found it because I don't think I could have eaten anymore, I was so full of yummy food!

We were then ushered into the home theatre, with real theatre seating, and the two younger girls put on a singing show for us. For intermission we were shown to the living room where the Christmas tree stood complete with presents underneath. The girls lit the candles on the tree and everyone gathered around to sing carols and dance around the tree.

After dancing around the tree we sat around the room and these same two girls passed out all of the presents. When they brought a present to me, I nudged Emily and said, "I think they got confused and gave me your grandma's present." She told them and they said it really was for me. This happened several times! I didn't even know these people and yet they were giving me gifts, I was in shock! Ellen had made me, actually knitted me some socks! They are very cozy...I'm wearing them now :) She is very talented, she knitted (is that a word?) all of the family different articles of clothing. It wasn't grandma-ish either...it was really cool!

The night left me speechless, I couldn't understand how they could be so generous to a stranger. So loving, and opening their home during family time. And yet at the same time, it helps me understand why Frank and Betina are who they are. They have amazing parents, so how could they be any different! While I miss my family, and our traditions, God is opening my eyes to see how other families live and love. What a privelege and honor, I am truly blessed!

The End...to another book written as a blogpost!