This year, instead of having 2 services - the early, children's "Birthday Party for Jesus" and the later, traditional communion our Pastor combined them into one service - the first half was the Birthday party part with songs, and stories geared to the children and the children sitting up at the front to take it all in, including singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. The second half of the service was quieter, with communion and then the lighting of cancles, turning out the lights, and singing Silent Night in the candlelight - this is my absolute, most favorite part of the service

This morning, as we were singing Christmas hymns, I turned to my Mom and commented that I just love this season in the Church - I love to sing the traditional Christmas carols