Dateline Dayton – Since last Sunday was Christmas, for those of us who celebrate, I hope you received all that you wanted, especially the peace and joy of the season.

Our son from Florida arrived home late Friday night, and I never have seen the Dayton Airport as busy as it was on that evening. Chris told us his flight from Tampa to Atlanta only had 80 passengers, but his flight from Atlanta to Dayton was full. Maybe it was all the NCR people returning to Dayton from their new home in Atlanta. Our daughter and her family — minus husband who had to work on Saturday and Monday— arrive home around 8 on Friday.

On Saturday morning, mid- day for me as it was 10 o’clock, I fixed breakfast for everyone. I believe they were impressed, not so much with what I served — it was a tasty prepackaged frozen meal —but with the presentation. If you can’t wow them with the food, then it has to be in the presentation.

After breakfast, and after Darlene’s family left to go shopping, three of us (Pauline, Chris and I) did a couple errands. At 3 o’clock we met friends George and Elaine for Pizza at Marion’s, because Elaine wanted to see Chris.

Saturday night, Pauline, Chris and I attended Midnight Mass, which actually starts at 10 o’clock. A few years back, our church eliminated the midnight service, opting for the earlier start. However, we still refer to it as Midnight Mass.

Prior to the service, at 9:30, there was a presentation of the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel in scripture and song, a beautiful interlude.

Father’s homily was magnificent. He pointed out things are not perfect in our world, individuals and families with no place to live, going without food, no job and illness. He said that Jesus’s birth was not a perfect situation, either. With no room at the inn, the Christ Child had to be born in a stable, nowhere near being prefect conditions, A stable surely smelled, not to mention other problems you find in a stable. Mary, nine months pregnant, had traveled the entire day on a mule, with Joseph walking. Joseph was in his hometown, but none of his relatives offered him a place to stay.

The service ended with the choir and congregation singing the Hallelujah Chorus.

The Christmas Day newspaper arrived early, and I was able to glance through it before anyone else got up up or arrived. I was pleasantly surprised to find a full page, printed in green, asking us to discover the true meaning of Christmas, with a manger scene, presented by Hobby Lobby. If only more of us, especially businesses had the courage to stand up for what we believe in, this world would be a much better place to live.

After looking over the paper, I proceeded to get the table ready for Christmas dinner. Our two daughters and their families would be joining us for the meal. Things did not go well with the food preparation. A problem developed with our oven, and it took forever for the ham to cook. We actually didn’t discover the cause of the problem until Monday — the temperature was not true to the setting. Lisa, Darlene and their families spent most of the day with us. However, we weren’t exchanging gifts until Monday, when our other two sons and their families would be joining us.

Monday was very nice, having all our children and most of their families home for the holiday. Most importantly, everyone had a good time.

Happy New Year!

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net