Christmas Eve

We took the girls to the Children's Service at church this afternoon and the girls were super wiggly but fortunately it was a very relaxed atmosphere and so wiggles were ok! They had all the kids come down to the front for the "talk" (as it was phrased in the bulletin) and after a little encouraging Emmie decided that she would join everyone else and of course if Emmie was doing it Ellie had to do it too. Emmie did enjoy singing along to the songs she knew during the service. At the end they did a "candlelight" portion and all the kids got glowsticks...I think Ellie thought she was at a rock concert...she kept waving her glowstick around. I love that our church has a special Christmas service for the children!

After church we came home and ate an early dinner and then settled in to watch the Polar Express. I popped popcorn and made some baked brie (apparently I'm the only one that likes it at my house but that just means more for me) and we all enjoyed a good movie together.

After the movie it was baths and then off to bed for the girls. I just looked at the NORAD Santa tracker and Santa just left Brazil...Emmie better hurry up and go to sleep!

I want to finish this post by sharing with you the lyrics of one of my favorite Christmas songs. It gives me chill bumps every time I hear it...such powerful words and I think the music just adds to the power of the words.

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name

Christ is the Lord!
Thy name forever praise we
Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy night