On Christmas Eve we went with some friends over to another friend's house and had a delicious Chinese meal with peach cobbler for dessert. The children (she has two girls), performed a play, even including Sophia as the sheep (because she can 'baaaa' on cue, though she did go astray here). It was such a precious time with friends. We sang carols and hung out before going home to do our own family time of celebration.
Young Mary with her new baby...
The Angel, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and a straggling sheep
Back home we did what we have done every night since the beginning of Advent, We read a devotional that has to do with some aspect of the Christmas story, we talk about it, pray together, and then sing a song. Next we let Sophia take the picture out of the pocket on the calendar and put it on the quilt, David then retells the story, getting Sophia to help with animal noises or telling us what certain things are. This has been a precious time as family (Sophia not sitting still the whole time of course, but always shouting a big 'Amen' at the end of prayer).
The baby has arrived! It is Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone!
