Christmas Eve Service ("Third Christmas" Pictures!)

Our minister of music sang "Welcome to Our World"

We had a sheep for the kids to pet.

Maddie wasn't too sure about him.  He also took part in a drama about the shepherds who were visited by the angels.

John and I are very blessed with these two sweeties!

Maddie's first time in big church as a toddler. Whew, I'm exhausted!

Landon fell asleep soon after this pic and slept the whole service.

Our service is very much a big family tradition here at Roswell Street.

The shepherd tells his children about that holy night!

The church is always decorated beautifully.

We sang "Silent Night" as we began the candle-lighting throughout the congregation.

Peaceful and beautiful.

I'm responsible for getting the big candle down front for the pastor to light as he starts the candle-lighting for the congregation.  That was my first mission when I got to church tonight.  Then we stopped and petted the sheep and then headed to the balcony.   Madison was only 9 months old this time last year and was running 102 fever.  She was quiet and sat in our laps...LAST year.  This year at 21 months old she was happily yelling "people" and "hey" up in the balcony.  She played with her flashlight and never stopped moving the entire 40 minute service.  She ate a cookie, drank her juice (I was afraid she was going to pitch the juice cup or the flashlight over the balcony rail at any minute).  She tried to put our candles in her mouth! What is that? I thought she was out of the oral stage mostly!  We sang Christmas hymns and she sang along at the top of her lungs...some gibberish but it was spirited anyway!  She was restless during the sheep skit and tried to escape.  Finally, as we lit the candles and began to sing "Silent Night" she quieted.  I picked her up and she just looked around at the beautiful sight of all the candles lit in the dark church and the Christmas trees all lit up also.  We held our candles high on the last verse..."Christ the Savior is born...".  Wonderful night. 

Merry Christmas!!