Weihnachtsmann

Well, like the inn for Mary, there was no place for us at Maria am Wasser. We left the packed church and briefly walked around the grounds of the Schloss Pillnitz. There was a great gathering of terns around the ferry. We crossed the Elbe back to our home, to await Weihnachtsmann.

We were told that he might arrive around 7 PM, so we went downstairs and waited. Sure enough, he enters the living room from the rear entrance through the patio. He has a helper angel with him. In one hand he has a big red bag of presents, in the other a bundle of sticks. I was a little worried about those sticks.

From Weihnachtsmann

Out of his bag would come a present with someone's name on it. To receive the present the person had to sing, or recite a poem, or perform some act of entertainment, like doing push ups.

From Weihnachtsmann

It was amazing to watch the little girl go from being terrified, and sitting on her father's lap, to going up an performing with glee.

From Weihnachtsmann

I must say that my boys were not so sure either. When their names were called they had a look of fear in their eyes. But I stepped in, and we sang together. Our songs? Jingle Bells (with Patrick), Deck the Halls (with Stephen) and Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer(solo, but I needed help from the whole family for the lyrics.) Trish recited a poem: Here's to the man who invented stairs.

From Weihnachtsmann

Apparently everyone in the room had been very good. We all had plenty of presents. There was also plenty of laughter and love in the room. A wonderful Christmas Eve.