Once Upon a Time: ~Christmas Eve Part Two: Praising~

Friday, January 8, 2010

~Christmas Eve Part Two: Praising~

I've always found it interesting that in the LDS faith we do not have a special sacrament meeting on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day when all the rest of the Christian world is holding highly attended meetings. I've heard the argument that it has something to do with worshiping every Sunday throughout the year and not just as Christmas, but without the religion factor set up for you I feel like it's really easy to have Christmas simply turn into a Santa affair... all about getting and giving, and a little less about the real gratitude for our Savior that we should be feeling.

Many years ago my wise mother came up with a Christmas Program intermingling scripture reading and song singing, a perfect balance for our family. My sister and I consider it the "Jesus Factor" of the two day celebration, and without it I don't really feel like it's Christmas. With that said, I decided that even though I could do Christmas any way I wanted (as it is my house and all) we were doing the Christmas Program again... perhaps much to the shagrin of two of my younger siblings.

Programs and scriptures were dispersed to those who don't already have them at their fingertips on their their ipods... gotta love technology!

Grandma ready to play with Lyssa's helping hand.

Since the kids were ancy and not likely to cooperate acting everything out, we decided to just let them play with the nativity on the floor.

Reading scriptures with her Mama. I love that this picture is artistically blurry.

Makes it so you can't see that I'm crying. I'm a very emotional person... leave me alone.

Those who don't know the words as well gather around the piano.

Lyssa got around, cuddling with anyone who would have her.

She pretty much had Ryan wrapped around her little finger at this point.

After all was said and done, the babies exchanged gifts with their Iowa cousin, Jakob. Great minds think alike! Everyone got good books to read!!

For posterity's sake I am adding a copy of our Christmas program. This year's version did not include the traditional "We Three Kings", though it usually does.... opps. I'm sure if you wanted to though you could find a place to fit it in.

Christmas Program

Song: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Carols #15

Shannon-2 Nephi 2:14, 25

Ryan-Moses 1:39

Nick-2 Nephi 2:27

Chrissy-2 Nephi 2:8-9

Song: He Sent His Son, CSB #34

Robert-Helaman 13:1-3

Song: Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus,

CSB #36

Greg-Helaman 14:2-5

Tiffany-Helaman 16:15, 18