Christmas Eve

We held our family Nativity tonight. It was fun watching the kids negotiate who they were going to be in our play but then when it actually happened, having to renegotiate it out & then just having everything just sort of happen.

Our Mary riding the Donkey.

Andrew as a Shepherd.

Joseph as a Shepherd who was sore afraid.

Mary with baby Jesus singing.

More of the frightened Shepherds.

The Angel.

The Wiseman bringing gifts for the baby Jesus.

It's also so fun getting to sing all of the Christmas songs together as a family throughout our performance. That was always one of my favorite things growing up & can tell it's quickly becoming one of our kiddos as well.

Last Sunday the Senior Primary had a Talent Show & Lexie & her best friend Haley sang "Silent Night" in English & German. (She also played "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful" on the piano.) It's was really fun teaching it to them & seeing how that has now became a staple in our home. It always makes me smile when we're driving somewhere & behind me I hear Andrew singing it in German. And the other favorite Christmas song (non-religious) is "Jingle Bells" sung with all of the Joy School actions. We sing both of these songs multiple times in the day. And it always brings a smile to our faces. We'll see how long it lasts. I remember growing up that we would always choose "Jingle Bells" for one of the songs at Family Home Evening much to my mother's "delight", I can see that same sentiment here if it keeps up all year long.

And here is the tree all ready for Christmas morning.

And the stockings all hung with care.

And to top it all off, it's all done & it's not even 10:00. It's time for bed!