It is a snowy Christmas Eve in a small neighborhood containing beautifully lit homes. People surround a table, chatting away in anticipation of a delicious meal. The children anticipate an exciting Christmas morning full of Santa’s gifts. Christmas carolers come to the door, surprising the guests who are deep in conversation.  They come singing joyous carols, eyes twinkling with the Christmas festivities.

Sr. Mary Jane remembers peeking through banisters, gazing in awe at the presents perfectly placed under the Christmas tree. She remembers wishing she could run downstairs even though she had to wait for her parents. For Sr. Mary Jane, there is no one food that makes Christmas special; instead it is the mere image of people gathered around a table in festivity. She enjoys the holiday music as well, such as the contemporary “Winter Wonderland,” but she prefers the timeless classic “Silent Night.” The many styles and venues for which “Silent Night” can be sung is magical for Sr. Mary Jane. She finds houses adorned with colorful lights the most special aspect of the holiday season and even, on some occasions, will drive down a road just for the sake of gazing at the light displays.   As Christmas approaches, she looks forward to attending a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass and, although she may not admit it, she will enjoy the vacation away from the stresses of school.

Sr. Lany Jo remembers creating her own homemade gifts and exchanging them with her family on Christmas Eve. She explains that her mother, a devout Catholic, encouraged them to devote Christmas Day solely to Jesus. On Christmas Day, she says, they had a birthday party for the Lord, and her mother would bake a fruit cake which, to this day, is her favorite holiday treat. Sr. Lany Jo described the fruit cake to be similar to stained glass and says that in memory of the birth of the Lord, she and her family would put candles on the cake.  Her mother has said that this treat is meant for people who hate fruitcake, as it is so deliciously unlike it. When asked about her favorite Christmas carol, Sr. Lany Jo claims, “I love ’em all!” However, after some deliberation, she has admitted that she enjoys listening to “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant. Sr. Lany Jo appreciates the holiday season because of people’s goodness that often is displayed towards others. She appreciates that Christmas is a powerful reminder that Christ is reborn in us every day. This coming Christmas she looks forward to a fish dinner and a midnight and Christmas Day Mass with the sisters of the manor. Sr. Lany Jo will enjoy baking her mother’s special fruitcake for her family and will be cooking for the people of Sacred Heart community.

Sr. Sheila remembers going to her eldest brother’s house on Christmas Eve and listening to her brother read The Night Before Christmas. She claims that on Christmas Day almost everyone in her family gathered together, and she regrettably admitted, “It was almost too much!” She recalls her mother’s frozen strawberry pie made with cream and strawberries, similar to strawberry ice cream. After much deliberation, Sr. Sheila decided “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant is her favorite carol, but admitted she loves all Christmas music. The holiday season is memorable for her because it brings back fun times of her childhood and is a celebration of God. For Sr. Sheila, the stores with decorations, the endless Christmas carols, and the festive people is what makes this season so special. She looks forward to attending a Christmas Day Mass with the sisters of the manor and enjoying a wonderful Christmas breakfast!

Christmas has a different meaning for everyone. For each of these integral members of the Sacred Heart community, the holiday season stirs up unique memories. Each of these distinct perceptions emphasizes the goodness brought out in friends and families by the merry holiday season, and we thank them for sharing their Christmas memories with all of us.