Merry Christmas!
This year we once again started our Christmas celebration with our church’s candle light Christmas Eve service. It was beautiful. We all hold candles and sing Silent Night near the end of the service. It is the best way to celebrate Jesus’ promise to us!
After church we had our Christmas Eve supper. Nachos were on the menu this year, just for something different. Watching the anticipation build within the girls was so fun. They are 21, 19, and 17, yet they are just as excited as they were at 5. Part of the excitement now is watching everyone open the gifts they picked out for each other. We tell each other what gifts we want them to open next, or what went into the selection process of the one they just opened. The were genuinely happy with what they received, but also with what the others received. There was no pouting, jealousy, or bummed out-ness. It was probably the most relaxing and enjoyable Christmas since before Anna was born.
On Christmas morning, we were back at church for regular Sunday service. We sang many Christmas carols throughout the service. After church we lounged around for a little, had a late dinner, and played games or watched movies. It felt so good to relax!
When Christina went to get a drink of water late in the afternoon, she looked at the sunset and asked me to run out and take pictures of it. It was magnificent! The colors were so brilliant! I grabbed my camera, and ran out the door. I was wearing shorts, and t-shirt, tennies, and a fleece jacket when I ran out to the edge of the yard to try and capture the sky. It was relatively calm at the moment, so I could hear birds singing in the grove to my right. It was such a nice evening! What a switch from a year ago when we had wind blowing over 20 inches of snow around!
We will be hosting family all week, and we are excited! Jonathan’s family is coming at the beginning, and my family at the end. We love to spend time with both sides – laughing, eating, laughing, playing games, laughing, eating…
So, I will wish you all a Happy New Year today. May your year be filled with God’s blessings, love from family and friends, and much happiness!
Here is one of the photos I took of God’s Christmas Painting:
