Night Before Christmas

Here are a couple main events from our Christmas Eve:

Transcript of less clear bits:
Sophia: "What?! Calley's breakdown cars." [toy trains from Chuggington]
Sophia to Alathea later: "Crisps." [chips to Americans]
Sophia reading paper: "Dear Alathea, I will try not to fight with the fuzzy felts." [toy they struggle sharing]
Sophia opening my stocking: "Silly, fluffy boots."
Sophia reading first paper: "Mommy, I will do whatever you say."
Sophia reading second paper: "Mommy, I will tidy up."

We also went to a Christingle service, which our church puts on every December 24th. Here is my Christingle with the explanatory song we sang. Note: each of the four sticks in the orange stands for a season, and the sweets stand for the good things God gives us.

Christingle Song
(to tune of "Give Me Oil in my Lamp")

The Christingle is made with an orange,

which is round like the world God made.

His creation is full of His glory;

all around we see His name displayed.

Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna!

Sing Hosanna, for the Light of Christ

Sing Hosanna! Sing Hosanna!

Sing Hosanna, Light of Christ.

Every year we give thanks for the seasons,

and the fruits of the earth God gives.

The Christingle is here to remind us,

of the love of God for all that lives.

Sing Hosanna!...

In His great plan of love God sent Jesus.

We remember His birth again.

But the red ribbon round the Christingle

tells the story of His death and pain.

Sing Hosanna!...

To complete the Christingle--a candle,

telling us of the world's true light,

and the darkness shall not overcome it;

Jesus shines on in the darkest night.

Sing Hosanna!...