Only two days away from Christmas! B&H Senior Editor Karen Ball has so many wonderful Christmas memories that it's difficult to pick just one! Here she reflects on one family tradition that took a humorous turn one year:

Christmas has always been a wonderful time for my family. My mom was the queen of celebration, and had a real knack for making holidays, especially Christmas, full of wonder. So I have an abundance of "favorite" Christmas memories. One that always makes me smile, though, is the annual Christmas Shopping Night. Each of us three kids got to go out with Mom on our own shopping night, while Dad stayed home with the other two, playing games and listening to Christmas music. Since my mom didn't drive, we walked from one end of town to another, stopping at stores, seeking the perfect gift for everyone. And she always let us pick where we ate dinner, even if it meant sitting in the tall, swivel chairs at the Newberry's counter. One year I picked the Timber Room cafe, famous in our town for their amazing burgers. Mom and I were placing our order, when in walked...yup! Dad and my two brothers! I jumped up and hugged them, laughing, saying how long it had been since I'd seen them, and they went on to sit at their own table, respecting Mom's and my Christmas time together. We joked across the room, tickled to show up at the same place. The waitress who served us, also served them. Finally, toward the end of our meal, the woman, placed a conciliatory hand on my mom's shoulder and whispered, "I don't know what problems you and your husband are facing, but you seem like such a nice family. I hope you can work everything out." My mom, ever gracious, thanked the woman--though I saw the glimmer of laughter in her eyes. Later that night, when we all gathered back at home, Mom let me tell Dad and the brothers what had happened. We had a good laugh--and for years we kids teased Mom and Dad about "working things out"--but more than that, we asked God to bless that kind woman who saw what she thought was a family in need and spoke out for reconciliation. I'm sure that "Christmas angel" blessed all who came her way!