Christmas for us started at my grandfather’s house on Christmas Eve. My sister and I would open so many presents that we thought there was no way we could possibly get any more on Christmas morning. We would be so excited to get up early. Once we were awake, we would yell down the stairs to my parents to see if Santa had come to our house. “Did he come? Did he come?”. My parents affirmed to us that had come and that he left lots of presents.

We weren’t allowed to come down the stairs though until the room was “prepared”. This involved my mom spreading out the presents under the tree so it looked like a sea of presents. It really was breathtaking to a little kid. My dad would also start playing his tape player of Christmas songs he had recorded off the radio with classics from Elvis and Bing Crosby.

When I hear those songs today, I still think of those Christmas mornings. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we were allowed to come downstairs. My sister, Deana, and I would run down the stairs into hours of opening presents and a lifetime of memories. I don’t really remember the presents, but I’ll never forget those mornings with my family.

The picture is Christmas morning 1979.

My favorite Christmas memory is all about coming home for Christmas.

When I was 12 years old, my oldest brother joined the military. He was off to boot camp just before the Holidays. I can still remember the sadness in my Mom’s eyes as he informed us there was no chance he could return home for Christmas.

It was a tradition each Christmas Eve for our parents to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ before tucking us into bed. (another GREAT Christmas memory!) This particular year, the pages of this spectacular picture book didn’t seem so bright. I remember tossing and turning in my bed that night…wondering what my brother was doing. Was he all alone? I prayed so hard that night that he was surrounded by friends that loved him.

Sometime very late that night, I heard noise on our front porch. I ran like crazy to my parents room to tell them someone (or something!) was on our porch!! My Dad said it was my imagination, and he walked me back to my room. As we got near to my room, we heard key in the front door. I froze with fear as the door opened slowly…but only for a moment. As the door opened, there in front of us stood my brother!! He had come home for Christmas after all!

My family gathered around the tree in the middle of that night, and my oldest brother was the one to read “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. My prayers were answered…he was surrounded by people who loved him very much! I have to tell you, the pages of that book have never been as bright as they were that Christmas Eve!

My favorite Christmas memory is when I actually heard Santa’s sleigh land on my roof.

I was about 5 years old. I prayed and prayed that God would talk to his friend Santa, and let him know that I was good, so I would get presents. (Cuz they are buds, ya know!) On Christmas Eve, my mom was trying to get me to go to bed, but I wanted to stay up with everyone else. I was so excited for tomorrow! Suddenly, I heard a thump up on the roof! I thought, “Oh, no! Santa will see that I am still up, and leave!” I ran to my room, jumped into bed, and closed my eyes tight, so Santa would think I was asleep. We all know, that Santa will not bring gifts to children who are still awake!

The next morning, I awoke to find a beautiful wooden high chair, for my dolls. It had a big red bow on it. Phew…I fooled Santa. He thought that I was asleep!

I will never forget the feeling I felt, in the pit of my stomach, and the sheer panic, when I heard Santa’s sleigh land on the roof, or the joy I felt, when I saw my gift.

I have many wonderful memories of Christmas, but this one makes me giggle…just a little, whenever I think of it.

(Many years later, I found out that it was not Santa, at all. It was my Dad and oldest brother, getting the gifts out of the attic, and they dropped the high chair.)

When I was asked to blog about my favorite Christmas memory, one thing came to mind right away…my dad’s jingle bells. They have been a part of my family’s Christmas tradition (or should I say “Christmas dread”) for as long as I can remember.

It is simply a leather strap with large bells attached to it. At first, they were a front door decoration designed to add a little Christmas noise when visitors stopped by. Then, they became a way to get my brother and I out of bed to see what Santa had brought us. Let me tell you, no alarm clock can hold a candle to those bells! Now, my dad brings those out pretty much…all the time. We hear them at night…over the phone…in the morning.

You might wonder why we put up with those jingle bells every year, but the answer is simple. It brings my dad so much joy to get those out of storage the weekend after Thanksgiving. They remind him of all our Christmases together as a family. And, that is all that matters to me. I have a lot of other great Christmas memories, but the image of my dad with a smile on his face, holding those jingle bells, is my absolute favorite!

The end of the year is almost here, and many of you have asked about the various ways you can give and invest in the changed lives that are occurring at NorthwayChurch.tv. Here’s a little more info…

When & Where can I give?
You have an option to give online using your bankcard or credit card. Of course, you can still drop your personal checks and cash gifts in the offering bucket or mail them to the NorthwayChurch.tv main office located at 17 Kendall Way, Malta, NY 12020. Tithes and offerings must be received in the offering buckets or postmarked, if mailed, by Monday, December 31st to be included in the 2007 Giving Statements.

What’s the latest I can give online for a gift to show on my 2007 giving statement?
Online gifts should be submitted by midnight on December 31st, but don’t wait until the last minute in case you have a slow internet connection!

Is cash recorded in my end of year giving statement?
Please be sure to put cash gifts in a filled out giving envelope if you want it to be included in your Giving Statement for 2007.

How can I designate my gift to support the new Northway Church campus in Colonie?
To give in support of Northway’s third location, please mark your check or cash gifts, Christmas Offering for 3rd Location or NC3- Colonie. The option is also available for your gifts online.

Thank you for contributing to the vision of changed lives at NorthwayChurch.tv!

Jesus Christ came at Christmas so all of us could come Home to God. This is the message of Christmas! All of us at times feel LOST in life…and I know I have felt the explosion of emotion in that power-packed word more times than I care to think about. I am so grateful to God the Father for sending Jesus to earth. I’m thankful that he didn’t stay in a manger but grew up and had a white hot passion…a relentless focus… and an unapologetic vision to help those far from God to find God…to help God’s lost children be found.

Thank you, God, my Father, for your endless, unfailing love. Thank you, Jesus, for your love for the Father and me. Thank you that the cross is my compass over and over again is this life. Thank you that grace that keeps on giving!

Let me encourage you to reread Luke 15 this year and be reminded of the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

Everybody deserves to hear the Good News, and everybody needs to hear some encouraging news! So let me encourage you to invite ALL of your family and friends Christmas Eve to our services.  Let me just say that no one will be disappointed.

Everyone will leave inspired and full of Hope! Oh, yeah…one more thing, you would be hard pressed to go anywhere secular or religious and hear the music we have in store! Incredible! Merry Christmas!

Yesterday morning I heard a strange noise out my window. I looked outside, and I saw…not Santa on his sled, but someone else on his snowmobile sled along with others cruising thru my yard and waiving at me! Who were these people??? I had no idea! So I went outside only to discover I got ambushed by the Northway Snowmobile Squad!!

Some of my friends from Northway decided to live spontaneously and cruised over… Jim, Stan, Vinny, Vince and Debbie! Thanks guys for making this one of the best Saturdays I have had in a long time! You guys are awesome! Thanks for letting me and my fam take your sleds for a spin! Now I know want I want for Christmas!

Last night I thought I had an out-of-Buddy experience! WOW! INCREDIBLE! PHENOMENAL!

Every now and then I get one of those moments when I can’t believe we get to do this…and I can’t believe we ARE doing this! Last night was one of those nights! From the moment the service started…it was an unforgettable experience! I was swept away…I thought I was watching something on Broadway! I’ll be Home for Christmas…Faith, you are a shoe-in for American Idol!

Then the transition into the band’s instrumental…Trans-Siberian style…was unbelievable! It sounded SOOO good! I didn’t think it was live! Then the worship Christmas songs!!! The congregation singing!!!  All followed up by the BEST multi media that I have seen…ALL reinforcing the greatest story ever told…the celebration of Christmas!

I have had the privilege of being at some of the largest churches in the country, and you would be hard pressed to experience what I experienced last night at Northway Church. Way to go everybody! So many guests, and I can’t think of a better service for anyone to attend than our Christmas services…just 8 left. Can’t wait until tonight! Invite your friends, and I’ll see you there!

All Glory To God in the Highest…Christ The Savior is born!

OK, I admit it. The countdown clock on our website is starting to freak me out a little bit. I can’t believe it’s just hours until our first of 9 services! I heard the rehearsal last night for the band was incredible! Can’t wait to hear it tonight! Just want to give a shout out to all the incredible people of Northway that have been working non stop! Thank you for your hard work! It’s almost Game Time!

I love this!