Christmas Eve

This year's Christmas activities are coming to a close. This is Christmas Eve and I'm getting ready to go to church for the Candlelight Service. This service is especially beautiful with all the brilliantly red poinsettias lined up across the pulpit. We start out with carol singing then the service starts. The adult choir will sing a selection from our cantata. The Cherub Choir will sing this year, also.

Instead of remaining seated for communion to be passed to us, we will walk down to the table in groups and take communion there, then return to our seats.

After a brief sermon, the ushers will pass out the candles. The lights will be dimmed until it is almost dark in the sanctuary. There is a lighting sequence as one candle is lit from the Christ candle and each person lights one candle from one that is already lit. The room starts to get lighter and lighter until all the candles are lit. We're then asked to lift our lights high. That's when the room seems eerily bright with candlelight.

The children's group put on a play a couple of weeks ago for Christmas. I've played in two Christmas concerts. Maggie and Emma were in a little ballet dance; we froze at the Christmas parade; we made cookies; we made paper ornaments for their teachers. I enjoy the pre-Christmas events, especially with the granddaughters. It's all new to them and I can see it in a new light. They are so very excited that Santa's finally coming.

Emma called a little while ago to tell me that she's changed her mind and has written a new letter to Santa. Oops.