A Musical Christmas Eve

*CHRISTMAS EVE*

Traditionally, Christmas Eve for our family includes the 5:00 Asbury Christmas Eve service, Mimi's house and then our own family candle ceremony at home in our p.j.'s.

This Christmas Eve service was a little more special this year...our own Abby was going to be playing piano during the service!

Because of this exciting addition, we had lots of family members join us this year!

We even had Aunt Lynn all the way from Austin and Meghan from Dallas!

My older brother Kevin and his family also joined us :-)

Time to begin the service. Everything, from the bulletin to the songs, are done by children.

So Precious.

Our dear friends the Bartletts lit the Advent Candles.

Abby prepares for her 1st of three songs...

Away in a Manger

her friend Hannah accompanied her on the guitar

Next up...

Last up, Silent Night while the entire sanctuary sang along...

Time to light up those *Glow Sticks!

Owen was double fisted

Cousin Grant gives our little musician a big hug

One Proud Momma

I love my girls!!

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Off to Mimi's Celebration...

Stocking surprises

Nike Elites

hmm...what's in there for me?

Uncle Brad's OSU Sweatband...niiice

Laura Dare Christmas Gown ~ just in time!

All things *Sparkle

Lil Sis gets cool Retro Toy

Stella & Dot...need I say more ;-)

Mimi with her Baby Boy

Aunt Gayle with her new Bridget Baubles

Uncle Cal & Aunt Cindy

Cream Puffs...yum

New North Face = Happy Mimi

The Girls

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A Sleeping Boy ~ 

Will crashed on the couch while waiting for the fam to meet in the front room for our Christmas Eve annual ceremony

while the younger 3 set up a pallet

p.s. This was not part of "the plan"

Annual Ornament Gifts

Each year I give each one of my children an ornament that represents something special from the past year; then, by the time they leave the house, they will have a full collection of meaningful ornaments that represent their childhood

Owen - Football Player representing his very 1st sport ever played

Ella - a Schoolhouse representing being at a brand new school this year

Abby - a beautiful damask window adorned with a chandelier and dress form representing her love for sewing & creating things

Will - a Golfer representing him making the Jenks middle school Golf Team

Time for our annual ceremony. The 5 candles were lit by each child, 4 for them, and the middle one representing our Saviour. We then each (other than Owen) read several scriptures about "light," ending with Matthew 5:13-16. Each child comes and blows out their candle as we say "Will ~ you are the light of the world; let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

This is my very favorite moment in the entire month of December...it is by far the most meaningful part of our family's CHRISTmas

Hearing my children read scriptures with all their heart represents what CHRISTmas is all about...anticipation. Advent = The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important. 

Christ came as a baby...and He will come again as our King. 

I can't wait