Christmas 2011

The morning of Christmas Eve turned out to be the best time for our family to enjoy a time of celebrating Christ's birth and exchanging gifts.  After enjoying a breakfast of snowman pancakes...

Daddy read the "Christmas Story"from Scripture.  Throughout the Christmas season we as a family have discussed much the why of giving and receiving presents.  God's sacrificial love of sending his Son to earth as a human in order that he may die on a cross for our sins is a pretty amazing gift.  The GREATEST GIFT ever!

Then it was time to open gifts.  Isaiah "gave" his sisters each a craft handbag, Selah gave her siblings each a little play puppy dog, and Sofia gave Selah a cozy blanket and Isaiah a Mr. Potato Head toy.

And while we don't keep our kids from believing in Santa (we try to emphasize the why and who he was), we did tell the kids that the big gifts that they asked Santa for....well, because mommy and daddy love them so much, we wanted to be the ones to give them those gifts.

Selah and her guitar.

Isaiah with his race car track.

And Sofia with her treasured American Girl doll, Samantha.

That evening we participated in our church's traditional candlelight service.  I was blessed to once again be a reader for the Lessons and Carols.  Kevin prepared us for the lighting of the fourth advent candle representing joy and Sofia actually was the one to light the candle this year.

Once the service ended we headed home to pack up the van and take off for our drive to Michigan.  We were on the road by 7:30 p.m. and arrived a little before midnight.

It was nice to wake up Christmas morning at Grandpa Sheck's house.  The kids were once again blessed with gifts and by noon most of the uncles, aunts and cousins had arrived for the family meal.

Grandpa gave all the girls animal hats.

The rest of the day was spent snacking and playing games.  The games for this year were Imagination Station, Logos, and Loaded Questions.

Kevin with brothers and nephews.

Christmas no doubt is a most favourite time of year and I believe it isn't because of the presents but because of love.  Love shared with friends and family but most all, the reminder of God's great love for us.