A Magical Christmas

Reasons why this was probably the best Christmas ever:

1. Tyler is really grasping the true meaning of Christmas. When we ask him what Christmas is all about, he tells us it is Jesus' birthday.
2. Tyler and Susie both really believe in Santa Claus. We sprinkled Magical Reindeer Dust outside on the snow to help attract the reindeer. We set out milk, cookies, and oranges for Santa, and Santa peeled each orange in one twisty peel. He even left lots of cookie crumbs on our note. And, best of all, Uncle Ryan discovered red Santa footprints outside our house!
3. Tyler and Susie acted as Mary and Joseph in our reenactment of the nativity. It was adorable! Susie kept holding baby Jesus upside down and saying "cheese" sporadically throughout the play assuming that someone was always trying to snap a picture of her I guess.
4. Tyler and Susie also sang some Christmas songs to our family. It was so beautiful. I'll post them singing as soon as I download it from our video camera.
5. Kevin and I prepared a slide show for our family to watch with lots of family pictures. We ended the video with some pictures of the birth and life of Jesus Christ.
6. Kevin's aunt and uncle introduced us to a new Christmas tradition of turning out the lights, lighting candles, and singing Christmas carols.

Other than the commercial traditions of Santa Claus and presents, it was a very meaningful Christmas. I really felt my focus was on Jesus Christ. To end our Christmas Eve program, Janae (Kevin's mom) read The Living Christ. It ends like this:

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

(Check out Tyler's new camo apron--a gift from Michelle)

Merry Christmas!