Christmas Eve

Friday:  I look forward every year to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at Calvary. There is nothing "fancy" about it--no special program; just a simple reading of the Christmas story from various Scripture passages, with carols sung throughout. It's quiet and always a lovely time.

Emma invited Christopher, Matthew, Kaity and Diana to the service. Christopher turned her down right away, but Matt had said he would come--but then he didn't. However, Diana and Kaity did come. Emma and I arrived about 45 minutes early to save seats ...

About halfway through the service there is usually a story especially for young children--one of the pastors usually reads a book to the kids who have all been invited to join him on the platform. Due to COVID, the children were not summoned to the front. Instead, Pastor Jim invited the entire congregation to an "interactive" children's story. It was a lot of fun. He divided the auditorium up into three parts: to the left were the shepherds, the middle section were the angels, and the section to the right (where we were seated) were the wise men. Pastor then practiced with each section. If during the story the word "sheep" or "shepherd" was mentioned, that section was to stand and say, "Baa-aaa-aaa" and then sit back down. If angels were mentioned, that middle section was supposed to stand, wave their arms about and make an "oo-oo-ing" sound (they looked like ghosts, actually). The wise man section were supposed to stand, rub their chins and say "Hmmmm" if the word "wise man" was in the story. Oh--and if the word "worship" was said, all three sections were to stand, raise their hands above their heads and shout: "Glory hallelujah!" I know it all sounds very silly (and it WAS), but it was also very fun. Kaity enjoyed it hugely.

Before the last song was sung ("Silent Night") pastor went over to the advent wreath, lit the "Christ candle" with his single candle and then walked down to the front row of the auditorium and lit the candle of the person sitting in the aisle seat. That person then turned to their left and lit the candle, and also turned behind and lit that person's candle. Everyone was to follow that pattern and pretty soon, the entire auditorium was alight with candles. It is very beautiful to see! I tried to capture the scene with my phone camera, but failed ... 

The service was only an hour. We attended the 7:30-8:30 service. Afterwards, Diana snapped a few pictures of her girls, and I took a few myself.

I am glad Emma made the effort to invite her family. I would have loved to have Jesse there with me--and I think he would have come had he been invited--but these invites were Emma's and since the split of her parents, things are quite awkward and strained.

Christmas is NOT ruined because of family difficulties or broken hearts, or political unrest, or riches or lack thereof ... Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year because of JESUS ... what an amazing gift He is--never changing, granting forgiveness for all of our sinfulness, pouring His blessing and grace upon our lives, promising His provision and faithfulness. I will admit that I struggled a lot this season to remain focused on Him because my heart has been so sad. But He says for me to come to Him when I am brokenhearted and He will give rest and guidance. He is the only Person who does not disappoint.

"Oh LORD, You have searched me; and You know me. You know when I sit and when I arise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me when to stop and rest. You know what I am going to say even before I say it. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know! Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I rise on the wings of the dawn, or settle on the far side of the sea--even there Your hand will hold me, Your right hand will support me."  Psa 139.1-10  
 

December 23 Rockford lights with Kaity

Thursday:  I decided to take Kaity out to Rockford to see the light display over by the dam. She loves to be outside, and the weather was mild enough to allow us to enjoy it ... so we did.

I obviously have NO idea how to take night photographs. I've looked at the settings on my camera and can't seem to find one that accommodates darkness whatsoever. Anyway, this is the best I could do in my ignorance of all things photographic ...

Kaity was usually a half block ahead of me, but occasionally I got her to STOP and turn around so that I could snap her picture. She's a speedy one!

The lights are all along the walkway that leads up to and over the dam. I love the sound of the water.

Kaity was very pleased to be outside, running along beside the dam, trying to photo-bomb my pathetic pictures ...

Kaity! You are getting so grown up looking ... and more and more looking like Christopher!

Isn't it so pretty?

Afterwards, we drove back to my house. I thought we would enjoy some hot chocolate and marshmallows, but Kaity said, "No!" ... so I decided I would offer her ice cream instead, which she gladly ate. I was too cold for ice cream! We played a few games of UNO, looked at a few books (briefly) and then drove back to Jesse. Just two more days until Christmas ...

December 21 Sweeties

Tuesday:  We had a really good time today. The children are on their winter break, so no pre-school until after the new year. We did our usual stuff around here. It's so much fun to be with happy children who enjoy the little things of life.

Aidan made ANOTHER book, taking about an hour to create the entire thing. He was super pleased with it and took it home to share with his folks. One page was covered with dark red scribbles, which Aidan explained to me was "a storm." OK!

Darling Erin made a little book too, but mostly enjoyed using all of the pencils to test out their color.

Brendan was pretty high-strung today--I haven't seen him like this in several months--perhaps he was just out of sorts--but his talking was very loud and quite constant, but he was having difficulty expressing himself in words. I was glad I had plenty of books for him to enjoy--because he gets a HUGE amount of enjoyment from reading. Me too, Brendan.

When we returned to their house in the evening, little Cal was all set to play. He is 18 months now! He is talking more and more and running with the bigger kids all the time. He wants to be one of the gang.

All of the kiddos enjoy playing with him. He is one lucky brother.

Erin dotes on Cal like a little mother. She loves him to pieces.

We played in their playroom/basement for about an hour until they wore me to a frazzle. My body just isn't like it was twenty years ago ... but I am very thankful for each healthy day I have.

Four more days until Christmas ...

December 20 More Than Sunny

Monday:  I spent a few hours at my local library this afternoon returning a pile of books and checking out another bunch for my little ones who come on Tuesdays. I got some super good books this week and I am excited to read them to my kiddos.

On my way out of the library, though, LOOK what I saw displayed on the "New Books" shelf!

Back in the summer I ran across the first "Beatrice Zinker" book here at my library and it gave me such a thrill--I can't explain it exactly--except I am so happy for Shelley's success. And they are now carrying "More Than Sunny", which is truly a delightful book. How cool is this!

December 19 The Love Candle

Sunday night:

Emma and I lit the LOVE candle tonight and read "He is Here" from the Jesus Storybook Bible. We also sang a few verses of "O Holy Night" at the piano. Emma said she hadn't noticed the words to this song before--only the music. It is one of my favorite Christmas carols. I love these words: "Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth."  I'm so thankful He came just as He promised He would.

I John 4.9-10: "God showed how much he loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."

December 19 A few more angel pictures

Sunday:  Bear with me as I show you a "few" more angel pictures ...

I'm not exactly sure what Angel Aidan is doing in the picture below ... !!

I love this of Erin ...

Angel Aidan got something in his eye evidently ...

Erin's hair ... is it going to be strawberry when she grows up? She had pink sprayed into it for highlights ...

These two absolutely kill me ...

Angel Erin looks a bit exhausted in this picture ...

The cheeks on these little angels! I could kiss them forever.

I love these two of Erin ...

That's all ... I promise!