For as long as I can remember it has been tradition in the Ryan household to invite friends around for a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Eve. I guess you can say it has become a tradition over the last decade or so.

Interestingly we started this when our children, and my nieces and nephews, were very little, but on the odd occasion when we have mentioned not doing this (such as this year) our children have made it clear that it is a tradition that is important to them to continue.

Traditions have developed within this tradition, such as the drinking of the odd glass or two of vodka (including toffee vodka tonight!) and the time together is good fun and a chance for all of us to relax together. It’s just good to eat,drink and laugh together.

Tonight I reflected on how we have all changed over the last decade, and certainly the children have all grown immensely, which shows that time is running quickly.

To those that it concerns, thanks for coming and joining with us in our traditional Christmas Eve birthday party for Jesus. Without you being here it would be a non-event. More photos here.