Our family has had the privilege of facilitating our church's Christmas program for about five years now. We are always so blessed to see how the Lord brings it all together, for His glory!
This year was very special with many new families participating and "gifts" being given!
(The idea behind the "Talents" program is for our church family to have a chance to "give" of the talents/abilities that the Lord has given them to bless others and glorify Him!)
Daddy kicks it off with a warm greeting and a few announcements!
We always love the opportunity to welcome new folks joining us for the evening!
Next up, Kyle kicks of his annual Christmas Quiz in between "acts."
He always does a great job putting this together and presenting it.
The two sides of the church "compete" to see which side can answer the most questions correctly.
They love it, and it gives the participants time to set up what they need for their "act" on stage.
We were recently teasing Kyle that we think this is his "gift."
He laughed, and said something like, "Wow, I'm a gifted Christmas quiz giver."
(No, Kyle! We meant that you are very good at making presentations up in front of people,
and making them feel at ease! You're a "natural" . . .which means God has gifted you with this ability!)
He always does a great job putting this together and presenting it.
The two sides of the church "compete" to see which side can answer the most questions correctly.
They love it, and it gives the participants time to set up what they need for their "act" on stage.
We were recently teasing Kyle that we think this is his "gift."
He laughed, and said something like, "Wow, I'm a gifted Christmas quiz giver."
(No, Kyle! We meant that you are very good at making presentations up in front of people,
and making them feel at ease! You're a "natural" . . .which means God has gifted you with this ability!)
We loved having more children participating this year.
Some of their "gifts" included irresistible cuteness. :-)
We had the blessing of hearing a harp being beautifully played this year by a delightful new family.
Some of our good friends, the Johnson's were amazing!
We really loved how many fathers participated with their kids this year!
This is another of the Johnson's kids . . . .Abel.
He also sang with his Dad . . . "Amazing Grace. " He did awesome as well!
(We've always thought these two look quite similar! :-)
Valerie, Victoria, Caroline and Daddy played and led the audience in "O, Come All Ye Faithful."
(Calling the audience back from the intermission/food and fellowship time! ;-)
One of everybody's favorites . .. Steve on the accordion!
It is so fun to have such varied "Talents" being "given."
Linda C. blesses us with a short story that she wrote.
This one was very meaningful, bringing tears to her eyes . . .
as well as everyone else's eyes!
(This is a video of Caroline playing "Holy, Holy, Holy" on her practice piano at home.
(Disclaimer:-( We apologize, both the piano and the video quality doesn't make for the best sound!
It was much better on the grand piano at church, and in person, but at least you can get an idea of what it sounds like!)
There were so many other very special "gifts" that were given that I didn't get pictures of!!
Many other musical acts; a young man gave an amazing oration he wrote titled "The Meaning of Christmas for Americans"; and a funny letter read from a then short-term missionary about her experience of a Christmas spent in Zambia.
The last song was particularly beautiful and meaningful.
It was called "Love Came Down" and played and sung by two amazing ladies!
Thanks so much to Victoria, who did most all the administrative work, and
communications with all the participants, to pull this event together and make it go so smoothly!
It was a wonderful day!
