Christmas Eve

O sing of Christ, whose birth made known the kindness of the Lord,
Eternal Word made flesh and bone so we could be restored.
Upon our frail humanity God's finger chose to trace
The fullness of His deity, the icon of His grace.

 After Calvin's birthday celebration in the morning, we enjoyed a relaxing Christmas Eve day at home, watching the Chiefs and baking cookies.

Evie is becoming quite the cookie decorator!

We went to Christmas Eve service at Mom & Dad's church, which looked beautiful for Jesus' birth!

Violet found Emily, one of her favorite school friends, to sit with.

We enjoyed a wonderful Divine Service, hearing the epistle from 1 John and the Gospel from Matthew We were reminded once again that our identity is that of being God's beloved through Jesus.  We were given the body and blood of Christ and sang out timeless hymns of the church. 

After church we headed to Scott & Joy's for some more family time and a delicious dinner.

Uncle Scottie makes the best French dip sandwiches!

Violet mostly just played with Maverick, Joy's newest cat.  This is a male cat who is extremely tolerant with Vi.  We all think she is the cat-whisperer.

After so many years of seeing 100+ family members on Christmas Eve, this quieter version of the day still feels a little different.  But there is really nothing more I need on Christmas Eve than to worship my Jesus, who saves me from my sins.  And it's just bonus that I get to spend time with my sister's family and both sets of parents.   

What Adam lost, none could reclaim, and paradise was barred
Until the second Adam came to mend what sin had marred.
For when the time was full and right God sent His only Son;
He came to us as life and light and our redemption won.