Steve picked up a card from the restaurant table and exclaimed, “Hey, look! TGIF is going to be open on Christmas!”
We had just discussed what our family of five would do for dinner that year since Christmas was on a Sunday. The fact that Steve was a pastor complicated matters a bit.
Yes, we could have planned a menu around a Crockpot main dish and a wee hours stint in the kitchen to assemble it. But after two Christmas Eve services the night before, that idea didn’t hold much appeal.
In addition, we knew that Christmas Sunday was already going to be plenty busy. Steve and I, the choir director and his wife, were providing the special music—a gift to the choir who was scheduled to sing the night before. Then, of course, Steve would preach again—twice.
So when he saw that card on the restaurant table, sometime in early December, we rejoiced that at least one holiday dilemma was solved.
But when we arrived at TGIF on Christmas Sunday afternoon, a CLOSED sign hung in the window. Sometime between early December and the 25th they had changed their minds. Now what?
It didn’t take too long for another idea to occur to me. “Let’s go to that delicatessen, TooJays, out at the shopping center. I’ll bet they’re open!”
Off we drove, another few miles to the west. They were closed too.
Now we were in big trouble. Three hungry kids, ages nine to fourteen, sat in the back seat. And it looked like Christmas dinner would be tomato soup and grilled cheese. But when I mentioned that idea, no one complained. That’s how hungry they were. Plus, who could forget what was waiting under the tree?
On the way home, while mindlessly watching the buildings go by the passenger window, my eye happened to fall on a brightly lit OPEN sign in the window of a strip-mall restaurant. We’d never noticed the eatery before, in the six months we’d lived in that community.
Steve made a quick decision to check it out, turned at the corner, and backtracked through the parking lot to Sun Hai Valley.
Soft Christmas music greeted us inside the door, as did the tantalizing aromas of fried rice, beef teriyaki and Kung Pao chicken. A hostess escorted us into the dining room where large floral fans adorned the walls, pink cloths decked the tables, and a long buffet stretched along the back. Not only did we dine in lovely surroundings, but we enjoyed a delectable, reasonably priced meal.
Finally, we headed home to the tree, overflowing with gifts from family and friends. Our three children were such troopers, waiting until mid-afternoon on Christmas to open their gifts. But we held to tradition and opened them one person, one present at a time, and taking turns. That way we could all take part in the joy of each gift.
About four o’clock, Steve’s parents called from out-of-state, ready to ask about the presents they’d sent.
“Guess what? We’re not finished opening them yet,” Steve told them. “I’ll call you again when we’re done!”
That Christmas was one of my favorites. God expressed his love and grace to us by supplying that surprise dinner, far above and beyond what we had planned. In reality, soup and sandwiches would have sufficed just fine, but he saw fit to provide much more.
God also granted the children angelic grace to accept circumstances outside our control. No one expressed impatience or frustration that I can recall.
Such precious Christmas memories are in themselves treasured gifts to enjoy our whole lives long—especially those memories that unmistakably highlight God’s grace, loving kindness, and generosity.
(Art & photo credits: www.savingadvice.com; http://www.toojays.com; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.zomato.com; Nancy Ruegg.)
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Please share one of your favorite, God-enhanced Christmas memories below!
From the Inside Out 
Amen!
Thank you, dear Janet, and Merry Christmas to you!
What a beautiful story. I am sending my wish for a blessed Christmas season to you and Steve.
Thank you, Grace. We are indeed enjoying a blessed Christmas season. Elena, now three, understands and appreciates so much more about Jesus, his birth, and even what he offers us. Just today she said she can’t wait to see heaven! May you and your precious family enjoy a blessed Christmas as well.
Love this story Nancy… We shouldn’t be surprised, at how God surprises us, with blessings we may not have thought of or imagined…but…there He is…loving us again and again, and blessing us even more! God bless you!!
So glad you enjoyed the story, Gail. And yes, I couldn’t agree with you more about how God loves on us with surprises. I’ve experienced a number of them over the years! I pray you and yours will also be blessed this Advent season!
What a wonderful Christmas memory and so appropriate with Christmas Day being a Sunday this year. We just had this discussion with my family right now. With a busy Sunday morning when and how do we eat? I think I will just relax and see if I can discover something unique to remember like you did. Thanks!
You can always fall back on tomato soup and grilled cheese! 🙂 I’ll be interested to learn what you DO discover.
Nancy, what a great story and a memorable Christmas, it isn’t always about what we eat and receive, it is about what God can do for us under all circumstances. Thanks for sharing. I wish you and Steve a Very Merry Christmas. God bless you.
So glad you enjoyed this story, Laura. Your comment about “what God can do” reminded me of an old song. Perhaps you’ve heard, “It Is No Secret?” Part of the second verse affirms: “There is no night, for in His light you’ll never walk alone. Always feel at home wherever you may roam.” The chorus continues: “It is no secret what God can do.” Praise God, who does indeed provide for ALL our circumstances!
Mrs. Ruegg,
What a lovely memory. I have some very fond memories myself in Sun Hai Valley. Of course all of those memories include my mother. She always had a way of making friends with everyone she met. And to no surprise at all she managed to make friends with the owner of that restaurant. My family and I spent many evenings closing down the Sun Hai Valley and always left with stitches in our side from how hard we laughed. It is great to see that other people have fond memories here as well. 🙂
Thank you for sharing
Hello, dear Alexis! How sweet of you to take the time to comment. I, too, hold dear a number of memories that include your mother, many that make me smile to this day. SO many times she had us laughing hysterically in the faculty lounge–to the point of tears. And, oh how I loved her puns! She was a pro. Those were such good years, when the two Nancys and your mother made up the fourth grade team! Fond memories indeed. God bless you, Alexis. His peace and joy is with you at Christmas and always! Love, Nancy R (You don’t have to call me MRS. Ruegg anymore! 🙂 )
Nancy, this memory made me smile.Our family has their own memory of a Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant. About 30 years ago, we were in Santa Barbara, CA,for a reunion of extended Collins family from far and wide and all of us had very young children. A big to do was out of the question…..Chinese restaurant to the rescue. Our kids loved it and the owners were very gracious and thankful we came in. Christmas can look like a lot of things when we have the most important gift around us–our family.
Thank you, Jody, for your Chinese restaurant story! Indeed, family does provide a most important element of a proper Christmas celebration. I praise God nearly every day that we enjoy a loving, caring, supportive family of children, in-law children, and grandchildren. Family IS a most precious gift.
I loved reading your Christmas memory, Nancy! As for me, I remember one Christmas eve when Mom and I stayed up late wrapping presents while watching Christmas Specials (Andy Williams, Perry Como, etc,), along with the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. The hours dragged on and on as we diligently wrapped gift after gift. The later it got (i.e., 3 AM), the more ‘creative’ we got with the bows! (Slap-happy, I’m thinking!) We started to decorate each gift with lots of bows. Mom wrapped one present with a dozen bows arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree. I will treasure that God-given memory of time spent with my Mom forever!
Oh, that IS a delightful memory to cherish! Thank you for sharing it. I’ll have to remember that dozen-bow Christmas tree — a good way, perhaps, to use up the ones that are a bit lop-sided! 🙂