And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

Ashley
I was away in England--the longest time away from my family. It was the first time the song 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' actually made sense. I was thinking, 'I actually get to spend time with them, I actually really miss them.' The journey to get there was so hard. I'd been awake for over 24 hours. I started in Carnforth, England and drove to London. It was a 6 hour drive. The airport hadn't opened yet and my flight had changed to an even later time. We'd taken a bus, then slept on the airport floor. The people I was traveling with left their luggage with me to get food, and while they were gone the plane boarded. I tried to find them. An airport attendant even called over the intercom, but the plane left without them. It was so stressful! I got to MN--an 8 hour plane ride--and then had another flight to Bemidji. I remember flying over Bemidji and seeing the stores and movie theatre--so many familiar things! I was finally able to get off and my family and two good friends were there--they cried and I cried when I hugged my dad. My brothers were awake when I got home, too. That's what I remember--seeing the people.

Sam
The kids are always getting up early, and if the parents aren't awake, we go wake them up. We get to spend time together for at least an hour. It's great and it happens every year.

Derrick H.
My two oldest boys got to experience my family's Christmas the way we would in Canada. I came from a big family so that was a big deal for me. They got to experience my uncle dressing up as Santa and sitting on his knee and all that. That was probably one of my favorite Christmases.

Brenda H. Our oldest child was born December 15th, 35 years ago. It made me think of Mary giving birth to Jesus in a stable--I was in a hospital. I though about Christ and what His family went through and the joy of a new baby.