Celebration

Every year, our church puts on an amazing Christmas show called "Celebration".  Each year, I can't imagine it would get better the next and it really does. David was a wise mean (ahem, excuse me, "King") again for his 3rd year in a row. But this year felt quite a bit different because David wasn't the only family member in the show. Micah Man played Boy Jesus! In the spirit of being biblically accurate, they wanted Jesus to be older when the wise men/kings made it to him instead of a baby (as they've always done). I could not be more proud of my boys. Being a part of the show is a pretty big time commitment the week of but Micah was such a trooper through 2 dress rehearsals and 3 performances (there are 6 but there was another Boy Jesus that did 3 of them too). On Thursday night and Saturday night, Micah and I got to sit with family through Act I and II and then we snuck out to get ready for his part in Act III so he even got to enjoy the show! Am I boring you with details? Here are some pictures:

This was his first performance on Thursday, he had a bit of a scowl throughout it but he still did everything he was supposed to: walk out on stage with Mary and Joseph and watch as the Kings enter, watch as the elephant walks through the worship center, and then watch the Kings as they bow to him. Yes, David bowed to Micah. Why do I still think that is so funny?

On Thursday, my family came...

 

Laurel was just a wee bit tired of being in child care... although she did have an ear infection coming on we just didn't know it yet. 

Since pictures went so well on Thursday, we learned to get there early and take pics before for Saturday with David's family...

Micah and I got to have a lot of time just the 2 of us which was really fun! I definitely think he enjoyed the special attention. We got into a little routine where we would head to the prop room at the beginning of Act III and get him in costume and then pay a little visit to Paige, the elephant...

This is as close as he'd get the first night but by Sunday, he would walk right up to her. Every night I would feed her a peanut and her trainer would try to get Micah to feed her but he never did. I have never been that close to an elephant before but she was so well behaved! After our visit to Paige, we would wait in the hallway as the goats came by on their way in and then we'd sit and wait for "Joseph" (Luke) to come get Micah for his part. 

This is Luke (aka "Joseph"), he and "Mary" were both so great with Micah, he would get so excited when he'd see Luke coming to get him and wasn't ever nervous at all

All of the Kings with Jesus!

Did I already say I am so proud of my boys?

It was so fun to get to be a part of Celebration this year from the other side of things, seeing how much work goes into it and how many people it takes. David and I hope that it is something our family is a part of for many years to come!

I know I say this every year, but if you have never been to Celebration and you live anywhere near Houston, you HAVE to go next year. I'll remind you when it is time to buy tickets. :) 

There is no better way to get ready for Christmas than to be reminded so well HE who is the real gift this season!