"Only 2 more sleeps..."

Christmas Day is almost here. It is so hard to believe - time flies by so much faster as we get older. Dale and I were privileged to go to two school Christmas concerts on the 18th that featured Christ in the center of it. Yes, that is right. They were in a school. The first one on Thursday afternoon, was Bethany's preschool class. They had a star "mask" on their faces and sang a song about the Christmas star (for the life of me, I cannot remember which song it was), then they sang "Away in a Manger" with actions, "Little Drummer Boy" with upended ice cream pails for drums and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in different voices. It didn't last long, but it was so cute and the kids - even Bethany - did a super job!! We thought Bethie wouldn't sing, but she did! That evening we went back to the school for Lucas' program. The school put on a play called "It Happened in the Country" and the K-12 kids did a super job. Which school is this, you ask? Regina Christian School. I know some people think sending your kids to a Christian school is silly when they can go to a public school for free. Our kids went to a public school and they turned out all right (by the grace of God) and back then, every other year, the Christmas program was about Jesus' birth (the alternate year about Santa Claus). That was when people wished you a Merry Christmas and no one was "politically correct" - but don't get me started. Back to the programs. The kindergarten and Grade 1's (Lucas' class) came out and stood on risers in front of the stage with "halos" around their heads like angels. They sang with the rest of the school and also by themselves. I got chills listening to these precious kids singing some standard Christmas songs about the nativity and some from the play. I don't know how many kids are in this school and I don't know how many go because they are forced to by their parents, but I do know that they KNOW the true meaning of Christmas. And because of that knowledge and with parental and church guidance, some ask Jesus into their hearts as their saviour. Bethany called me Friday, the 19th and said, "I asked Jesus into my heart". I was so thrilled and teary of course. Jodi had been talking to the kids and saying that Grandpa (Dale's dad) would get to celebrate Jesus' birthday with Him this year in Heaven. And Bethie said, I want to go to heaven. So, Jodi talked with her, prayed with her and she accepted His love and forgiveness. This is my greatest Christmas present - even over my Cuttlebug! I'm not saying kids that don't go to Christian school have less of a chance to accept Christ as their saviour, I'm just saying it doesn't hurt to have the added benefit of putting Christ first in everything in their lives. Today it is 21 years since my dad went home to be with the Lord. Every Christmas I think of it, and although I miss him, I know he is so happy and healthy and I will see him again one day and Lord willing, I can introduce him to the great-grandchildren he never got to see. I am getting more and more out of my funk (those concerts were a huge help) and after easily wrapping the presents (it usually isn't, as we have no table) and getting the name tags made, I am about ready for the family gathering. I was asked to sing with the church staff at our Christmas Eve service and am honored to do it. We had a choir on Sunday that did a wonderful job of the "Hallelujah Chorus". So, I'm looking forward to the Christmas Eve service. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May God bless you and your families as you celebrate the season and the reason we have this season. Give God the glory!! "And she brought forth her first born Son; wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7 "...He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived". Luke 2:21b.