Cecelia Welsch is one of our dear Residents at Holy Family. She is an active 102 years young and has a great supportive family. They gathered together here at the Home recently to continue a tradition that began many years ago. The following, related by a family member, describes that tradition:
“Over fifty years ago our family began a tradition at Christmas, a play, to remind us what it is really about, the birth of Jesus, not just Santa Claus and presents. Everyone participated from the oldest to the youngest. We had a script, music, costumes for the angels, shepherds, kings, Mary, Joseph, the innkeeper, the drummer boy, the animals, and of course, the baby Jesus. Sometimes He was a doll and sometimes a real baby. Our oldest member is now 102 and this year we made some changes to our presentation. Some of the cast visited her at Little Sisters’ so she could still be part of it. Her great grandson Luke placed the manger on the table and each person placed the figurines in the manger, with Grandma Cecelia lastly placing the most important one, baby Jesus. Each person had a lit candle and we sang silent night. We remember this special night, the birth of Jesus, the love He showed us and the love we show to each other. The celebration goes on and gifts are shared, but most importantly, we have paused to honor our Lord and what Christmas is really all about.”
Celebrating Christmas – a Time for Special Family Traditions