My favorite part of Christmas happens the night before.
Holding a lit candle in a darkened church, surrounded by others doing the same, while singing "Silent Night" right before midnight.
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light; Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
"Son of God...love...grace..."- in five words this is Christmas.
I look forward to sharing this message with my children at Christmas and throughout the year. This year however Sophia was in bed and Christmas started for her the following day. It took place in three parts.
Opening presents from her Gran, Grandpa, and Aunt Jan (via mail):
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| Showing her Dad how to use her new flashlight. |
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| Opening a doll from Gran |
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| Giving Grandpa a gift. |
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| Getting a gift from Grandpa. |
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| Uncle James demonstrating how to use a gift from Great Aunt Jan. |
Next was Christmas dinner with dear family friends. Nada threw this party for her husband who has now lived in a nursing home for several years following a stroke. Instead of just stopping by for a visit on Christmas day, she brought the family, food, and presents to him. She reserved the communal room on his floor and put the gifts under the tree so that he could watch his grandchildren open them. We ate a delicious meal (including two turkeys, two hams, and eight sweet potato pies)shared with the nursing staff:
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| 4 yr old Josiah leading Sophia back to the party room |
The day ended with a trip to see the Christmas lights and life size nativity scene at Rose Tree Park:
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