Christmas with our Families

On Christmas Eve, we went to our church for its annual Christmas Eve service. I had the privilege of singing one my favorite Christmas songs in a quartet - In The First Light. I have wanted to sing this song since I was in college, so I was extremeley happy when we put it together. The ironic thing - we almost didn't get to do it. Our piano player and fifth voice was too sick and couldn't be there, but by the grace of God it all came together.

Please take a minute and read these words and remember the true reason for this season:

In the first light of a new day

No one new He had arrived

Things continued, as they had been

While a newborn softly cried

But the heavens, wrapped in wonder

Knew the meaning of His birth

In the weakness of a baby

They knew God had come to earth

As His mother held Him closely

it was hard to understand

That this baby, not yet speaking

was the Word of God to man

He would tell them of His kingdom

but their hearts would not believe

They would hate Him and in anger

They would nail Him to a tree

But the sadness would be broken

As the song of life arose

And the firstborn of creation

would ascend and take His throne

He had left it to redeem us

but before His life began

He knew He'd come back, not as a baby

But as the Lord of every man.

Hear the angels as they're singing

on the morning of His birth.

But how much greater will their song be

when He comes to rule the earth?

Here are a few pictures of our families from this Christmas.

The Tilden Family

Front: Selah, Lesa, Adam and Amanda.

Middle: Valerie, Mike, Kira and Liz.

Back: Jamie, Richard and Deborah.

Cousins

Even Noel got a present, which she played with the rest of the night!

The Meyer Family

Front: Adam, Selah, Lesa, Kira, Kaitlynn, Anthony and Liz.

Middle: Linda, Dennis, Amy, Phyllis, Mandi and Ken.

Back: Mike, Chris and Vince.

Cousins, sort of...