Lessons and Carols

Well...I've got LOTS of updating to do, so I'm rolling up my sleeves and digging in....starting with an easy one.  :)

Avery had her very first school concert!  It was held at the adjacent church, St. Mary's.  I'm not sure what the capacity is, but there was standing room only and I would guess there to be somewhere between 600 and 800 people.

Sadly, the night conflicted with our church production, so only Aiden and I were able to attend, while Shaun and Amanda were at night #2 of the performances.  Shaun was super bummed to not be able to go.

Aiden desperately wanted to see while I was taking pictures, so that was a little challenging.  After each reading the kids did (all Bible passages), they would end with "The Word of the Lord" and the congregation response was "thanks be to God!".  Aiden quickly caught on to this, except he kept repeating it right after everyone else was done...you know, in the brief quiet moment.  :)

When he heard Silent Night, he was so animated and excited.  "This is my song, Momma!  This is my song!"  (we've been singing it every night before bed).

Avery was chosen to read for the First Grade and we couldn't have been prouder of her.

This is a little shakey.  I was nervous for her AND holding a heavy camera and fighting off a two year-old who wanted up.

Her class sang The Friendly Beast (of all songs!)

 It was a beautifully done evening.  At the end there was a live Nativity, all the students and teaching singing together.  The principal got up and said, this is why you send your children to St. Marys.  They ALL know the TRUE meaning of Christmas.  Thank you for trusting us with them.  Up to that point, I hadn't even really noticed that we hadn't sung about Rudolph, or rockin' around a Christmas tree.  Santa Claus (bless his heart) was not mentioned once.

Obviously Avery heard about that Silent Night here at home first, but its so neat to have it reinforced by other adults and respected people.  We have such a peace about where she is and that's such a blessing.

Later, Avery and Aiden were watching the videos.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Luke 2:1, 4-5