The Sheep of His Flock

I led our Children/Family Christmas eve service again this year and we had a wonderful service. God totally showed up in the details. At times during the preparation I would just want to cry because things started to fall apart and people were dropping out of the cast and then at one point I said, If God wants this to happen, He will work it out. And He totally did! People stepped up to the plate to take on big roles and the last moment, the sick people got better, the props I ordered through the mail came in a few days earlier than expected, and the sound tech found his own replacement. It really did bring me so much joy to see the children so connected with the story of Jesus. Worshipping on Christmas eve was a significant time for me to reflect on God's gift and sacrifice and His love.

What I liked about this year's play was that it wasn't only about Jesus' birth. The play was called "The Sheep of His Flock". Throughout the play there was a family of shepherds who recalled the event many years before of the angels coming to them to tell of the birth of the Savior. So they recounted the events of Jesus' birth and life and his growing up and teaching. They especially like his sermon on the Good Shepherd. Then they shared that it was all important because it all points to the cross. Jesus didn't come to just be a cute baby in the manger, but God sent him because He knew we needed a Savior.

Have a Merry Christmas worshipping the living Savior!

Christmas with the Rockey's '07

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas at my Mom & Dad's last weekend. Nick, Mandy, and Dylan were able to travel up to join us. I had to post some pictures. Mom sewed an apron and chef hat for Dylan's present and he loved them! Too cute!

Thanks Mom & Dad for all of our presents and for hosting such a fun & special time for our family. We love you!

Christmas Survey

Here's a fun little holiday survey...enjoy! (Since I don't have my camera with me, here's a picture from last year's Christmas.)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
-Neither if I can avoid it...I let Kevin do all the wrapping; he's much better at it.
I like to open wrapped gifts much more than gift bags.

2. Real tree or artificial?
-Artificial; I'm allergic to the real stuff.

3. When do you put up the tree?
-Anytime after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?
-After my birthday (Jan. 15)

5. Do you like eggnog?
-I used to drink it once a year at Grandma Ginny's on Christmas eve.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
-Guitar (freshman year in college)

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
-Yes, a special Fontanini one that my Mom started collecting for me 2 years ago.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
-My sister in law; she is so much more fashionable than me so I never know if she'll like what I pick out.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
-My brother, I know he likes tools.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
-Broken Christmas ornaments.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
- Mailed ones, if I'm lucky...usually they go out in January

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
-It's a Wonderful Life & White Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
-About three weeks before I start to get panicky...like right about now!

14. Have you ever recycled a Chrsitmas present?
-Yes

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
-Chocolate & Slim Jims (I always get them in my stocking)

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
-We alternate every other year...so this year is colored.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
-At church: The First Noel, Angels We Have Heard On High, O Holy Night
-On the radio: "Joy" by Avalon, "Mary Did You Know?", "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)"

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
-Always home on Chrsitmas day; travel to families the weeks before & after.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
-Ditto my friend Tom's answer, "All ten of them. Anybody who doesn't know the tenth, write and I'll be happy to tell you."

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
-Star

21. Open the presents on Christmas Eve or morning?
-Open them in the afternoon on Christmas day since on Christmas morning we are usually sleeping in ;) Aaaaaah, the joys of not having kids yet.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
-Being stressed all the time over too many responsibilities at church.

23. What I love most about Christmas?
-Remembering God came in the Flesh,
People seeming to be extra cheery,
Christmas songs on the radio,
Watching a fire in the fireplace,
Quiet peace in my soul because I know whom I have believed.

24. How is your tree decorated, a theme or a random ornament collection?
-Random, most of our ornaments are ones that were either special to Kevin or me as children, ones we recieved as wedding gifts, or homemade ornaments from the kids at church.

25. Do you celebrate Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas; or some combination?
-Christmas. Also Advent & Ephiphany.