Christmas Memories on my mind

I woke up this morning and was thinking about my mother taking my sister Becky and I to a Christmas Cantata in Carthage Missouri about this time of year. Mother was pregnant with my youngest sister Fran and we were there to visit my Dad's parents because Fran was due in June. We always went to Missouri in June but this year we went in December. I still can see the huge choir in golden robes and the church was decorated with beautiful lights, trees and greenery. My mother was about 31 years old. She had a profound experience with the Lord when she was 25.  Church and Sunday school became a regular part of mine and my sister Becky's life. But that particular visit at the church in the town my grandparents lived in had an effect on me especially the music and the story of the Christ child. My mother loved the song they sang called Ave Maria and she talked about it as we were driving back home to Texas. Now when I hear that song or other songs during this time of year, I remember that Cantata and my Mom's  tears of joy after attending it. She shared it with our pastor Brother Thompson and brought him back a program of it. Its funny the things kids remember but it was a memorable Christmas to me. My sister and I both received Madam Alexander dolls that year that we both still have. I still have fond memories of the Christmas plays and musicals we had growing up in church. My sister Fran was born in May which was such a joy to our family. However the next winter she became very ill and was in the hospital in December. This was another time that really made an effect on my life.  I was in the 3rd grade and God had already answered a very specific prayer for me the year before . I had gone to the hospital after I got out of school one day and Fran was hooked up with IV's. and still very sick. I was so sad and I remember how God had answered that prayer the year before so I specifically prayed that He would let her be well and to be home by Christmas. There was a strange glow in her room after I prayed that I have never forgotten. My Dad told the Dr. he thought maybe her medicine was making her sick. The medicine was changed and she began to get better. She came home Christmas Eve. My mother also won that year the prize for the best Christmas outdoor theme and decorations and she used our dolls we had gotten the year before as part of the decor.