Old Time Christmas

I think Christmas is all about anticipation.
I remember shopping for a new Christmas outfit. That is where the numerous trips to Star Store, Silversteins, Cherry & Webb all happened. That was long before the Mall was built.
I remember having to put our hair up in curlers on Christmas Eve for Mass the next day. I remember Mom and Dad showing us how baby Jesus was not in the creche yet and that he would be born on Christmas day. We always did an advent wreath and prepared for Jesus birth by praying near the manger.
I remember anticipating if Santa knew I was a good girl and that I would get gifts and if any of them would be from my list I made. I remember wondering if it was going to snow the next day and if we would have to drive to Uncle J & Aunt D in the snow. It was all about the anticipation of what was going to happen.
Christmas morning was chaos of all the kids upstairs waking each other up. Then we would have to wait until we heard Mom and Dad downstairs, but Dad was always awake making the bacon for breakfast. Once we came downstairs we were not allowed in the living room until we drank our orange juice and went over to the creche and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. Little traditions that are great memories to me. I wish for an Old Time Christmas again....