Our church is having its annual Christmas Party tonight! There’s always tons of food, Christmas music, and lots of great people milling about, but this year I expect it will be especially nice.

We’ve just recently moved back into the area, so now we know a lot more people that will be attending. Also, the party is at my parents’ house this year. We’ve spent the past few days helping them here and there to get the house ready — quite a chore I must say. It has been great to be around to help out, and I think my folks have really appreciated the extra help.

One of the highlights of the event is the annual Ornament Exchange. Each year we play a game where everyone brings a wrapped ornament to share. The ornaments go into a pile, and everyone takes turns opening an ornament — or, if they feel brave, stealing an ornament from someone who has already opened one. The dynamics of a bunch of church-goers stealing from each other brings out some hilarious stuff. Some are too timid to take something from someone else, and others… well, they could stand to be a little more timid.

It’s all in good fun, and at the end of the evening, just about everyone ends up having a great time.

Except for the one who chooses THE Special Ornament.

The Special Ornament a modified chandelier with multi-colored Christmas lights instead of bulbs —- and is disguised each year in different ways. Someone gets stuck with it and has to bring it back next year for revenge. I’ll try to take a picture and let you see how hideous this thing really is.

Filed under: Recreation, Faith