Christmas Program

Sunday, December 15, was our much-anticipated church Christmas program.  We've been practicing on Sundays for several weeks and had one Saturday practice.  I think everyone was ready for the real event.  

We arrived early to sneak in some bell practicing first. Then it was time for the obligatory group picture.  This year our church was part of the tour of homes so the basement was beautifully decorated with a dozen Christmas trees, making them the perfect backdrop for a photo.  

The boys are wearing what's been aptly labeled as their "funeral clothes" but I think they look pretty sharp in them.  I did not make the girls' dresses this year.  I got them at Kohl's and between a discount, Kohl's cash and a sale, they didn't cost me much.  

Again this year the prelude for the program was child musicians.  There were four performers this year and we were two of them.  Eden and Eliza played Jesus Loves Me.  

The boys played The First Noel.  

The children did an excellent job, considering their hours and hours of practice since October.  They weren't even nervous, despite the church being packed full!

The little children were first, but I don't have a picture because my children have graduated from that department.  

The preschool through 2nd grade sang "I've got the Joy".  

The program for their age group was the ABC Christmas.  

The 2nd graders had the speaking parts and the preschool-1st graders held up the letters.  Eden and Eliza are in front, letters X & Y.  Emmet had three speaking parts and he was able to memorize them.

His letters were F, J & Q.  

F:  Shepherds were watching their FLOCKS of sheep on the hills near Bethlehem, in the quiet night.

J:  "JESUS is his name," Mary told the shepherds softly.  "God has given us a wonderful, wonderful gift."

Q:  And then the shepherds returned to their QUIET hills, to think about all that had happened.

Then they sang this cute song "Did the Shepherds Need Shades?"  

Something about "Did the shepherds need shades?  In the middle of the night.  Did they turn their heads?  Did they want to run away?  What I really want to know . . .  is did the shepherds need shades?"  

"Did the shepherds need shades  . .  . to shield their eyes  . . . from the light so bright?"

The Power Zone kids, 3rd grade through 6th grade, did a skit called "Just a Little Christmas."  

It was the typical Christmas story and the actors all did an excellent job!  Ephraim was the Emperor.  

Ephraim's line in the program:  Everyone go to your own hometown, so that I can count you!

Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on Earth! Good will to men!

Ephraim is on the far left.

Their first song was "Angels We Have Heard on High."  

Their 2nd song was "Light of Christmas."  It is the song on the newest Christmas Veggie Tales movie.  

Ephraim is on the far left, back row.  

We had several special guests in the audience for our program.  Here is a picture with Grandpa Harold and Grandma Twyla. 

After  the program everyone was treated to an apple and a candy bar.  Then we went to Asian Buffet to celebrate with all the grandparents and Aunt Michelle's family and Uncle Paul.  

It was a most excellent program!  It was so rewarding to be in the audience, watching all the children praising God and retelling the Christmas story.