Tree Lighting and Santa

Tonight we went to the tree lighting ceremony in our town.  I have to admit that I was a little disappointed at first b/c the tree was kind of small but this is only the second year that they have had the new park so it will take a while to have a huge, grand tree.  It's definitely bigger than any tree that would fit in a house.  Anyway, I just didn't realize it would take so long for the lighting to begin and was a little irritated and then we walked around and got free kettle corn and free hot chocolate which definitely helped my mood a little.  Andrew said he wanted to go see Santa because this was the real Santa.  Now, this is Andrew, the little boy that refuses to talk to most people, even if he sees them every week at church.  He has cried every year when going to see Santa and the only time he sat on Santa's lap willingly was last Christmas Eve when we went to grandma's and Santa made a surprise visit.  He sat on his lap while he read "The Night Before Christmas."  We saw a Santa at church the other night and he refused to get close.  Anyway, we get in line.  I called David who was on his way home from work and asked him to meet me.  My mood was going downhill again because I was certain he wouldn't sit on his lap and the line was looooooooooooong!  Well, we waited a little over an hour and can you believe he actually sat on Santa's lap?!?!?!  And, Grace sat with Mrs. Claus.  I have proof!  Well, you saw it already but here are the other pics as well.

 

After the visit with Santa, we stopped for some pictures by the tree.  And yes, it was very cold out there....my kids were crazy not to have their hoods on.  I sure wish David would have told me to take mine off for the picture! 

One thing that was really great about the ceremony is that they actually said Merry Christmas before saying Happy Holidays.  I was really surprised b/c of how much people focus on not saying Merry Christmas. The speaker even mentioned that we need to remember the reason for the season, a little baby that was born so many years ago.  I was extremely impressed that the leaders of our town would say that during the ceremony.  It's so easy to focus on presents, lights, decorations, parties and not on Jesus.  It's His birthday after all and we should be celebrating that all month long.  I know I always say my birthday is the whole month and His should be as well.  We have an advent paper chain that we made at church the other night and each day it has us either read a verse or do a family activity.  On the 25th it says to have a birthday party for Jesus and I'm excited that we are going to do that this year.  It's His birthday and we get the presents.  We could at least have a cake and sing to Him that day and praise Him!  I challenge all of you to have a party for Jesus this year as well.  Remember in all your shopping and parties and decorating that Jesus is the Reason for this Season!  God Bless!