Christmas Joy

It's been a memorable and joyful last few days. On Thursday, we took the kids to the Aquarium of the Pacific. There's nothing like special times spent with Dad on his day off!

We attended a lovely Christmas Eve service at church. The sanctuary glowed beautifully with candlelight, and the voices of the choir were truly heavenly. Marty Goetz blessed us with special music, and Pastor Greg spoke about Jesus as "Immanuel"--God with Us.

After returning home to Christmas Eve dinner, the kids listened to Alan read aloud the next-to-last segment of Jotham's Journey. Surprisingly, they went to bed with nary a peep.

Jonathan and Elizabeth were the first up this morning. Daniel slept in a little, uncharacteristically as he's usually our earlybird, but as soon as he bounded downstairs he hollered, "Merry Christmas!" First Bible time, then breakfast. It is tough to get excited kids to eat on Christmas morning!

For Big Kids Only
Jonathan: Wow, it's an RC Helicopter!
Alan: Jonathan, I have bad news.
Jonathan: What, Dad?
Alan: It says "For ages 40 and up!"


Singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."


Jonathan tests out his new camera from Grandma & Grandpa.


After the gifts are unwrapped, everyone settles down to
read new books.


...and more books.


Elizabeth dressed Shadow in Christmas bows.


My Dad sent me a precious treasure--a postcard given to
him in 1941. The verse on it (John 3:16) is timeless. It is
now a special addition to our Nativity scene.



My favorite memory arrived this morning after we read aloud the Christmas story. The kids were handed a very tiny package wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with bows. I explained that this was the most important Gift of all. Fingers flying, paper and ribbons falling to the floor, voices exclaimed, "It's Baby Jesus!" "It's Baby Jesus!" "Can I put Him in the manger?" Then burst forth the pitter patter of three pairs of feet as they rushed to the manger, just as the shepherds did long ago.

We wish you a Blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. May He richly bless you and your family in the New Year ahead!

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6