A Musical Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! Last night we all enjoyed the Girotti Family's annual Christmas program. The tradition began back when the kids were knee high to grasshoppers (as they say down south)!

Back in the early years, Tom read from Luke 2, and all four kids participated in the nativity story as Joseph (Micah), Mary (Hannah), a shepherd (Jonathan), and an angel (Sarah). Here's a picture from '89. Is that adorable or what?

As the years go by the productions have gotten a bit more sophisticated with various readings, solos, duets, flutes, guitars, whistle, keyboard, and hammered dulcimer being a part of the program. All the kids work hard to come up with the songs and arrangements each year. Jonathan and/or Hannah types up a program for us to follow along and sing on designated songs, and Aunt Bet participates by reading poems and stories. The rest of the family listens, enjoys, and asks for encores of our favorites.

One of the songs this year that was a favorite was "See, Amid the Winter's Snow."

"See, amid the winter's snow, Born for us on earth below, See the tender Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years.

Hail, thou ever blessed morn! Hail, redemption's happy dawn! Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem."

A new one to me this year was "Jesus, the Light of the World" written back in the 1890s. The tune has stayed with me all today, and I think I may request it again next year!

All our company leaves tomorrow. What a quiet, less rambunctious house this will be without the two dog cousins barking at each other!

We hope you had a wonderful celebration of Jesus' birthday! See you next week on the blog!

~Deb

Comments

[The Wagner Family]

I like the song!
Now, that is one precious picture!

[Susan Ramey Cleveland]

Your Christmas program tradition sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

[Molly]

What a wonderful family tradition! I'm sure the music was quite beautiful. Can you update us on how your oldest son is doing? I think I remember he's in med school and had gotten married?

Blessings,

Molly

[Tammy]

I was wondering what you were going to share from your family celebrations!!Cute picture!

We read from The Christmas Conversation Piece and had a good time with the stories and conversations.Chris even asked what do you think Christmas would be like in 150 years.

[Dorothy]

Looks like your family had a sweet time together. I didn't know they played the flute! Flute music is beautiful. I love the idea of the Christmas program and will encourage my children to think about having that tradition when they have their own families one day! Maybe we will start it next year ourselves...never too late to start a new family tradition! :-)

[Deb]

Thank you everyone for commenting! To answer Molly's question: Yes, Micah, our oldest son, is married to Elizabeth (June '06). He'll graduate from med school spring '08 and will end up...where???

He's been traveling around quite a bit interviewing for residencies (Michigan, New Hampshire, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, etc.). He ranks the residency programs, and the hospitals where he interviewed ranks all the med students that interview there. These rankings go into the computer... and the computer matches up students with programs...and no one knows what that match is until March 20, Match Day. He'll begin residency July 1 someplace, and we're praying that the Lord will place them in the very best spot where He can use them both for His glory.

[Courtney, Jer.33:3]

Cute pic of the kids when they were younger!! We have had a little Christmas program here at home quite a few times and it's aways so special.
I hope Hannah is completely well now!! I haven't been blog reading here lately and I didn't even know she was so sick!!! :( :(

[Jungle mom]

Thanks for sharing your Christmasn with us.