Christmas Morning

This Christmas morning was especially wonderful, with a little girl just old enough to get excited about opening presents and Sunday worship with our church family! We had already opened most of the gifts on Christmas Eve, but left a few for the morning.

Sarah was perhaps the most excited we've ever seen her. Both the opening of the gifts, which were once forbidden to the touch, and the gifts themselves made her very happy. Boy, did this little girl receive some presents! Once she figured out that the paper was just a covering, the most wonderful surprise-face came upon her, which then turned into joyful unwrapping. She would then play with the toy until- the hardest part- we would pull her away from it to open a new present. This would of course start the whole process over again.

Sunday worship was great as well. Christmas is always my favorite when it's on Sunday, and this year was no different. It may be the first time I've gotten to lead the church on Christmas, though. Two desires were on my heart: that our singing would be the most memorable thing about the music and that the morning would feel special. I knew there would be the danger of Sunday worship feeling like a necessary obligation on Christmas Day rather than a highlight, or of the musical accompaniment overshadowing the fact that God's people were singing together. With limited musicians available and those desires pressing, we decided to simply sing traditional carols together with a small piano-led ensemble.

I was so glad to see it go well. We kept the children in the service, and they all behaved so well. One of them even made the service more memorable by shouting "yaaayyyyy!" after the first and last songs. With that little girl spreading cheer, the sweet singing of songs we all know, and many people staying afterward for doughnuts, it really was the merriest.

Afterward we came home to change clothes and run off to the airport. But that's another post! For now, enjoy the pictures of Sarah opening her presents. 

Fridge Phonics from Mommy and Daddy

A stuffed bear from our neighbors, the Matthews

"It rips open!!!!!!!"

All sorts of fun loot from the Artmanns and Great-Grandma.

She really was amazed to find that there was something inside.

The family on Christmas Eve