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Sweet, energetic, challenging boys seek Christian parents | Susan Olasky

I did not grow up in a religious home, but I learned early from my parents to anticipate Christmas. It was exciting to watch as multi-colored lights began twinkling on the shrubs up and down the street. Every picture window framed a sparkling tree, yet my house was dark.

That's because, in a carryover from my mother's childhood when even the National Christmas Tree was lit the night before Christmas, we had the custom of setting up our tree on Christmas Eve. I remember the exquisite anguish of waiting for Christmas Eve to come, and when it finally arrived, our anticipation as we pulled out faded cardboard boxes of ornaments. We hung our handmade ornaments alongside the blown glass ones, leaving the tinsel for my mother, who knew better than to throw all of it on one branch. My parents could not teach me about Christ, but they did teach me the spirit of joyful anticipation that should characterize our Advent and Christmas celebrations.