Christmas

Our Christmas morning began at 7am!

(The kids were gracious enough to allow the grown-ups 

to make coffee before the fun started!  Thanks, kiddos!)

After presents, we were invited to have Christmas Dinner

at our pastor's house, along with another family.
Delicious food and fantastic fellowship!

After getting home, Isabel gets Grandpa and Daddy
 to help put her new dolly bunk bed together,

while the boys played a few rounds of "Thirteen" with Grandma.

And the grand finale:

Christmas Night's Liturgy

All the representations of the exile - sand, vinegar, and bones - disappear.

Empty wine glasses are filled with wine.

"Bones" are replaced with cymbals.

The small chocolates are replaced with bigger, expensive chocolates.

Joy to the World!

Merry Christmas!