Cherub 4 (Joseph), Cherub 5 (Mary), and Cherub 6 (Archangel Gabriel) just after placing the Baby Jesus in the Manger.
Cherub 4, Cherub 5, and Cherub 6 dressed as Joseph, Mary, and the Archangel Gabriel. Cherub 3 and Cherub 2 are dressed as Angels.
Father Vick reading to the gathered children at the Christmas Eve Mass.
The Archangel Gabriel heading back to sit with Mom and Dad - he was soooo pleased to participate in this Christmas Pageant.
Cherub 2 and Cherub 3 after "Bringing The Gifts"Our Christmas Eve was absolutely wonderful.
Our friends (the P family) came to visit, and Grandpa came too. We shared a wonderful Christmas "Feast" (as the children call it) .... turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce -- with all the "fixin's" (to use the southern term). Then we had all sorts of pies and cookies for dessert. We had a wonderful time visiting and playing together.
Then on Christmas Eve "eve" we went to Mass, where most of our children were part of the Christmas Pageant. Cherub 2 and Cherub 3 were Angels (part of the Heavenly Host), and Cherub 4 was Joseph. Cherub 5 was Mary (thanks to Mrs. H for the making of her veil which received many compliments), and Cherub 6 was the Archangel Gabriel. Each of the children was truly honored to have been invited to participate. Everyone performed beautifully ! Then during the Mass, following the Homily, Father Vick called all of the children to the front of the church to sit for a story -- the Story of the Christ Child. He did an amazing job as the storyteller - the children were MOST engaged, and our children took turns "narrating" the whole drive home. I have to say that we have been so blessed with wonderful priest's since our return to the Catholic Church more than a year ago -- Father Cummins had a wonderful relationship with the children that deeply touched their hearts, and now Father Vick truly goes "the extra mile" time and time again to reach the younger ones and to engage them in their faith while encouraging them to strengthen their relationships with God.
After Mass and our arrival home, we did a quick "clean up" here at home, and then got into our brand new Christmas PJs. Everyone was so excited !! We settled together in the living room with warm mugs of herbal tea (blueberry for some, peppermint for others) to watch the OLD version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the one with Burl Ives voice). Eyes were getting heavy near the end of the movie, but we were not quite ready for bed.
After the movie ended, we had two read alouds while we were all settled. First we had a dramatic reading of Twas The Night Before Christmas - which brought many giggles. Next we read from our Bibles, taking turns, the story of the Birth of Our Saviour. After our readings, we prepared a snack - a few cookies for Santa with a cold Coke (Cherub 5 said that Santa might need a bit more UMPH with such a long night of work ahead - HA !), and some apples were placed on the front porch for the reindeer.
Finally, we checked NORADs website, which tracks Santa's visit to the United States --- he was in Cape Canavreal, Florida --- then he was in Atlanta, Georgia. OH MY !!! Cherub 6 nearly fell apart with excitement when Santa was spotted in Atlanta .... he was practically pushing everyone into their beds, including our elderly Golden Retriever (Daisy). Since Atlanta is three hours away and has a HUGE population, we decided that we still had a few minutes to get everyones teeth brushed, to say our prayers together, and to climb into bed .... and everyone settled very quickly into their snug beds for a much-needed winter's rest.
Our friends (the P family) came to visit, and Grandpa came too. We shared a wonderful Christmas "Feast" (as the children call it) .... turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce -- with all the "fixin's" (to use the southern term). Then we had all sorts of pies and cookies for dessert. We had a wonderful time visiting and playing together.
Then on Christmas Eve "eve" we went to Mass, where most of our children were part of the Christmas Pageant. Cherub 2 and Cherub 3 were Angels (part of the Heavenly Host), and Cherub 4 was Joseph. Cherub 5 was Mary (thanks to Mrs. H for the making of her veil which received many compliments), and Cherub 6 was the Archangel Gabriel. Each of the children was truly honored to have been invited to participate. Everyone performed beautifully ! Then during the Mass, following the Homily, Father Vick called all of the children to the front of the church to sit for a story -- the Story of the Christ Child. He did an amazing job as the storyteller - the children were MOST engaged, and our children took turns "narrating" the whole drive home. I have to say that we have been so blessed with wonderful priest's since our return to the Catholic Church more than a year ago -- Father Cummins had a wonderful relationship with the children that deeply touched their hearts, and now Father Vick truly goes "the extra mile" time and time again to reach the younger ones and to engage them in their faith while encouraging them to strengthen their relationships with God.
After Mass and our arrival home, we did a quick "clean up" here at home, and then got into our brand new Christmas PJs. Everyone was so excited !! We settled together in the living room with warm mugs of herbal tea (blueberry for some, peppermint for others) to watch the OLD version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the one with Burl Ives voice). Eyes were getting heavy near the end of the movie, but we were not quite ready for bed.
After the movie ended, we had two read alouds while we were all settled. First we had a dramatic reading of Twas The Night Before Christmas - which brought many giggles. Next we read from our Bibles, taking turns, the story of the Birth of Our Saviour. After our readings, we prepared a snack - a few cookies for Santa with a cold Coke (Cherub 5 said that Santa might need a bit more UMPH with such a long night of work ahead - HA !), and some apples were placed on the front porch for the reindeer.
Finally, we checked NORADs website, which tracks Santa's visit to the United States --- he was in Cape Canavreal, Florida --- then he was in Atlanta, Georgia. OH MY !!! Cherub 6 nearly fell apart with excitement when Santa was spotted in Atlanta .... he was practically pushing everyone into their beds, including our elderly Golden Retriever (Daisy). Since Atlanta is three hours away and has a HUGE population, we decided that we still had a few minutes to get everyones teeth brushed, to say our prayers together, and to climb into bed .... and everyone settled very quickly into their snug beds for a much-needed winter's rest.
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