The Christmas season is here, and with it come the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of yuletide. To this day, the smell of lutefisk and lefse still brings me back to Christmas Eve at my grandmother’s house. While the Thune family has since replaced my grandmother’s Norwegian fare with clam chowder on Christmas Eve, the warm feeling of gathering with family to celebrate the birth of our Savior is still the same as it was all those years ago.

When I was growing up in Murdo, Christmas was always a special time of year. We were a caroling family in a caroling church, and we would go to our neighbors’ houses to sing and spread Christmas cheer. And on Christmas Eve, we would all pile into the car to go to Grandma’s before we continued on to the Christmas Eve service in Okaton.

This time of year, we could usually count on there being snow on the ground, and we were ever eager to sled down Jackson Avenue. Hopefully, a new and faster sled would appear under the tree, too. These days, I’m not-so-eager for snow since it means multiple rounds of snow-shoveling. I’d rather be sledding. Or doing anything else, for that matter.

Our grandchildren bring us plenty of joy on Christmas. This year, Kimberley and I welcomed our sixth grandchild to the family, and we’re looking forward to celebrating his first Christmas. For us, Christmas Eve is still the main event, with the Christmas Eve service and gathering with family. We read the Christmas story to the kids, and we gather around the tree for presents.

In the entire year, there may be nothing I cherish more than opening the Bible and having the grandkids piling on to hear the story of God’s greatest gift to humanity: His Son. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people,” the angel tells the shepherds. This story, however familiar, never grows tired. This good news is never old news. It touches the heart, and it reminds us of what truly matters.

From my family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!