Photograph of my mom, Ethelda…she really puts her heart and soul into singing this special song!
Go Tell It on the Mountain
“Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.” (excerpt taken from the lyrics of the song, “Go Tell It on the Mountain, by John Wesley Work, Jr.)
I am a firm believer that the holidays should be spent with family and friends. It is then, more than any other time of the year that many traditions are started and shared. When we can “let our hair down,” be ourselves and celebrate the glory of the season with those that we hold dear to our hearts. This is certainly true of my family, and although we can’t always be together to celebrate Christmas, our long-standing family traditions and our memories of them, seem to bring us together no matter how far the distance is between us.
One of my family’s Christmas traditions that we started and enjoyed during my childhood, and that I truly love still, is when we would gather together on Christmas Eve night. Long after dinner was finished, probably around 9:00 pm or so, I got to help prepare a tray full of savory snacks and sweet treats, including my Grandmother’s Italian Christmas cookies that I’d helped to bake, (see my earlier post “A Christmas Memory: At Grandmother’s House”). Grandmother was right, the cookies did look like little works of art adorning the tray. Being an artist, this was probably my favorite task every Christmas Eve, because I got to arrange the goodies, the colorful napkins and other accoutrements in a festive display for all to enjoy!
“Shout To All the Earth,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com
My dad would select scripture verses for each of us to read aloud. Hearing the words spoken from the Bible, telling the story of the birth of Jesus always sent chills through my body. They were, and still are, so powerful, that they made me feel as though I was one of the shepherds gathered around the manger, gazing upon my Lord and Savior. This feeling was magnified when my mom sang one of hers, and now mine, favorite Christmas carols, “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” Listening to the truth of the words being sung so majestically by mother’s voice, seemingly brought the glory of that first Christmas night right into our living room. Knowing that God’s gift of his Son was given to us out of his immeasurable love for us, added another dimension to the love and elation I felt every time we gathered to partake in this family Christmas tradition.
At the strike of twelve midnight, announcing the dawn of Christmas morning, our celebration would continue as we shared and opened our presents and enjoyed the festive food that was prepared earlier. The laughter, the hugs and kisses, the endless “thank you’s” and other expressions of gratitude all make this family tradition so rich and wonderful for me. Indeed, the holidays are a time for sharing special traditions with family and friends. A time to reflect upon the true gift that was given to all mankind.
May the joy of this season fill your heart…Have a very Merry Christmas!
Felecia
I dedicate this post to my beautiful mother, Ethelda. Your strength, determination, your kindness and unwavering love have never gone unnoticed. I admire you and love you. Thank you for helping to shape me into the person I am today.
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We all love your Mom too! We consider that her “special” song, as she has shared it with us for so many years!
Thanks Kathy… I feel the same way! She brings the sound alive!
With love,
Felecia
I love Christmas traditions!
Me too, Lew, they make Christmas even more special!
Love,
Felecia
Thank you so much Felecia
Love you
You are very welcome Mom!:-)
I love you, too, very much,
Felecia
I have tears:)
I love you:)
Awww, I suppose I’ve touched a special place in your heart, eh sis?
I love you,too,
Felecia
Oh, Felecia! This is much more than beautiful! I could feel a piece of my heart was in the very center of your family’s celebration! I miss my sweet mother much more than I can bear, at times. You have been given such a precious gift each Christmas that no amount of money can purchase. Your family’s Christmas memories will live on forever.
Thank you for allowing us to peek in and visit a while with you during this most beautiful season. It has deeply touched me. God bless you always.
Thank you Doris! God has been so good to my family and me throughout these many years; and especially during the Christmas season. No matter what is going on in our lives, we feel his love and provision through the love and wonderful times that we share between us. I am so pleased that you’ve found what I’ve shared here to be worthwhile and special to you…that means so much to me, truly!
May you have the very best start to this new year, dear friend, and may God watch over you and bless you through each new day.
Peace and love,
Felecia
Felicia, what a beautiful tribute to your Grandmother and Mother. I came to know of it when I visited your parents along with a friend a few days ago. I was so filled with joy as I read it and observed the beautiful photos, especially the one of Ethelda. For me , your writing brought back the memories Jay and I shared with family so many years ago. Oh, how wonderful to be able to look back with a joy-filled heart at fond memories, it’s like living them twice. Thanks for the reminder of how important it is to let our love ones know just how much they are loved. God Bless you and Steve. We Love You Very Much!
Awww, thanks so much Aunt Vern! You and Uncle JD were such an important part of our Christmas memories and so many more times of our lives. What a blessing it is for me to have had such a beautiful soul as you to grace my life…thank you for being who you are to me.
Love you so much,
Felecia