Silent Night, Holy Night

Christmas - Part Two (Don't worry - there's only one more part after this)

Christmas Eve!  Jackson sang with the Genesis Choir at the 6:30 service at church.  I love the Christmas Eve service.  It is so beautiful and peaceful and makes us even more excited to celebrate Jesus' birth!  I cannot put into words how moving the service was this year...Zach came pretty close, though.  He said, "You could feel God's presence wrapping around you."  He's exactly right - you could just feel the warmth and amazement of God's love for us.  That He loves us enough to have sent his own son in human form to walk as one of us, with us, for us - Wow!  Our God is an Awesome God!!!

Some of our cookies for Santa.  Jackson did the angel, tree and gingerbread man.  Kendall did the nutcracker and declared, "This too hard!  I just make balls."  And that she did!

 

Playing with our magnetized Nativity scene from Yommy while we wait for our cookies to bake.

 

So my children won't be winning any Martha Stewart awards, but the cookies sure taste good!

 

Jackson ready to sing with his candle and robe.

One quick Jackson story before we move on.  After Jackson finished singing, he came to sit with us.  As each part of the Christmas story was read, actors portraying the characters would walk down the aisle to the altar.  When Joseph and Mary appeared, Jackson leaned over to me and said, "Wouldn't that be fun to be Joseph, Jesus' Dad on Earth?"  Thus began the first of my tear moments of that evening. 

Yommy, Papa, Debbie, Danny, Jason and Dezz came to church with us - a special treat and a big thanks for missing the service at their own church!  They sure do love our kiddos!  After church, we went back to Yommy and Papa's for Christmas Eve sandwiches with some our favorite people.

 

Not sure who was more excited about Danny's Grinch shirt and hat  - Danny or Kendall

  

Funny girl!



One of Jackson's favorite presents - his globe!  Love that boy!

Warning - Gratuitous Christmas pictures with my children ahead!!!


With Danny and Debbie



With Jason and Dezz - so glad they're back in Lubbock!

 

With Yommy and Papa



With Mommy and Daddy

Another Warning - This next part of our Christmas Eve I stole straight from my friend Ann.  She is an amazing mom (and friend) and celebrated each day of Advent with a different activity for her children.  I have loved following her blog this joyous season.  Thanks, Ann for this great idea! 



Yommy and Kendall get settled for our activity



Jackson is ready to read "What God wants for Christmas"



The book, the manger and the presents all came in a box from Mardel.  Looks fun!



Kendall opens box #1 and finds an angel



Jackson finds Mary in Box #2

 

Box #3 - There's Joseph!



Jackson was excited he got to open Box #4 - Baby Jesus!!!



Box #5 - a shepherd!



and a Wise Man in Box #6!  Only one box left - the box that contains what God wants for Christmas...

 

What does God want for Christmas?  He wants you!  The box had a mirror inside so the kids could see themselves.



The manger after all the boxes had been opened.  Such a fun story and activity! 


Much fun was had by all - then we headed home to get ready for the big day!


We lit the Christ candle on our Advent wreath.



We iced and sprinkled a few cookies for Santa - and yet again, sister does not have her shirt on!



We laid out the milk and cookies for Santa along with our stockings, of course!  Then, off to bed!

To be continued...Will Santa come to our house?  Will he like the cookies?  What time will the children wake up?  All these questions and more will be answered in Christmas - Part 3.

Verse of the day - But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21

Blessings,
Kelli