Chapter 5: Christmas Eve

At noon on Christmas Eve, the Read family was making sugar cookies that had green frosting on some of them, pink frosting on the others, and they were all sprinkled. The other foods and beverages they made before this day included gingerbread houses, two round Christmas cakes (one was a traditional cake celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday, and another was a cookie cake with a Christmas tree and presents and silver bells), fruit punch, spaghetti, turkey, spinach, and some other good foods.

At 5:00, long after all the foods were done for the holiday, it was time to go to Church. David was wearing a blue sleeveless sweater with a white and blue striped dress shirt underneath, a brown plaid jacket, khaki pants, and brown loafers. Jane was wearing a pink blouse, a gray plaid jacket, a blue skirt that goes down to the lower legs, and gray loafers. Loretta was wearing a purple short-sleeved Christmas dress with a Christmas tree on it, a blue jacket with snowflakes on it, and white loafers. Bud was wearing a blue dress shirt, a brown jacket, khaki pants, and black loafers. Arthur was wearing a yellow sleeveless sweater with a white and red striped dress shirt underneath, a red bowtie, blue jeans, and brown dressy shoes. Mo was wearing a blue sleeveless sweater with white and black striped dress shirt underneath and wore the shirt hanging out, blue jeans, and brown dressy shoes. Ricky was wearing a gray short-sleeved dress shirt, blue jeans, and brown dressy shoes. D.W. was wearing a pink short-sleeved Christmas dress with Santa Claus on it and brown dressy shoes. Kate was wearing a pink short-sleeved Christmas dress with Frosty the Snowman on it and black Mary Janes with long white socks. The sister of Mo and Ricky was wearing a purple short-sleeved dress with a reindeer on it, and black dressy shoes.

When they all arrived to Church in two different cars, they sat next to Grandma Thora who arrived earlier. Thora's hair was the same as always, and she was wearing a gray long-sleeved dress and brown dressy shoes. Inside the Church, everything was all decorated all Christmas-like, plus the Nativity scene.

The mass started at 5:30. The opening Christmas hymn they sang was "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in G Major. The next Christmas hymn they sang that was during money-giving was "O Come All Ye Faithful" in G Major. During communion, the hymn they sang was "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in E Major. The closing hymn they sang at the end was "Joy to the World" in C Major.

After mass, the Read family and relatives went home to the Read house, plus Grandma Thora came along. They all sat down in the dining room for a wonderful Christmas dinner.

After dinner, it was time for dessert. The two cakes were set up in the middle of the dining room table. Then they all set out different packages of ice cream flavors: vanilla, peppermint, and rainbow sherbet. Then they all sang the "Happy Birthday, Jesus Christ" song. After singing, they each cut up the slices and put them on plates, and three scoops with one flavor of each on each plate of cake. They also ate the cookies.

After dessert, everyone changed into their pajamas and walked into the living room. It was time to open presents. Before opening presents, Arthur and Mo were playing Christmas carols on the piano together and singing: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in G Major, "Let it Snow" in G Major, "Sleigh Ride" in G Major, "Silver Bells" in E Flat Major, "Winter Wonderland" in E Major, and "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas" in G Flat Major. While the two cousins were playing, the others were also singing along.

After Arthur and Mo played the piano, everyone started opening presents. The first present was a present from David to Jane. It was a figure of a Christmas tree.

"Thanks, David," said Jane.

"My pleasure," replied David.

Then Arthur opened a present. It was from Grandma Thora and it was a game of chess.

"Thanks, Grandma," said Arthur.

"My pleasure," replied Grandma Thora.

Then Loretta gave a present to Grandma Thora. Before Grandma Thora opened it, the tag said: TO: Mom FROM: Loretta. When she opened the present, it was a Christmas mug with a Christmas tree.

"Thanks, Loretta," said Grandma Thora.

"My pleasure, Mom," replied Loretta.

Then there was a present for D.W. It was from Grandma Thora. When D.W. opened it, it was a cow hat.

"Thanks, Grandma," said D.W.

"My pleasure," replied Grandma Thora.

Then Mo opened a present. It was from Arthur, and it was a blue baseball cap.

"Thanks, Arthur," said Mo.

"My pleasure," replied Arthur.

Arthur opened another present, and it was from Francine. His present from Francine was a blue baseball cap with a white letter A on the front.

Then everyone opened up all their presents for the rest of the hour until it was time for bed. Kate and her cousin who was the younger sister of Mo and Ricky were waiting for Santa Claus to put their presents into their stocking. Arthur was waiting to see new Bionic Bunny movie that was coming out the next day, but only to go see that movie with Francine when she was finished celebrating Hanukkah with her family.

To be continued…