What a difference a year makes!

This past weekend, our church's children's choir performed their annual Christmas musical, Camel Lot. In the musical, the character played by Maddy falls asleep on Christmas Eve and dreams of a camel lot (as in car lot) in Bethlehem, and the adventures of the employees as the characters from the Christmas Story come through looking for a new camel and telling a little piece of their story. A sweet story. Maddy was the star of the play in more ways than one--being the only one that actually knew her lines!

But the real surprise was Hannah. Hannah had been going to the practices, so she knew the songs and dances. Never in a million years, though, did I expect her to actually get up on stage. School has done wonders for her, I tell you!

I wish I had thought to take a video camera. She was so incredibly cute--and she inherited her mom's rhythm. HA!
Maddy had a solo and did a fabulous job.

Despite all of the mixups, the forgotten lines, the four year old who was given a starring role who insisted on rolling around on the floor, the message was powerful. Don't forget the manger. While it had been almost comical until this point, when Mary and Joseph came out with baby Jesus, I started to tear up. The sweet sound of the children singing and seeing a reenactment of the very first Christmas night got to me.

I think what made it even more meaningful to me was that Mary and Joseph were played by a couple that is relatively new to our church. The Zelayas have four children, each corresponding to one of ours, and are new in their faith and walk. They were so honored to be portraying Mary and Joseph, and their little girl Lidia as Jesus was just precious!

the Zelaya's oldest daughter, Arly, who happens to be one of Maddy's best friends, had a big part in the play too.

After the show, we finally let Charlotte run free (gee,...why didn't they choose Char to be baby Jesus? Could it be that she is NEVER still and Lidia is perfectly happy to lay in her mother's arms?)

Case in point...see below!

Maddy says this is her last performance in the children's Christmas program. I so hope this isn't so. She is such a natural and does such a good job.

Have a wonderful Christmas...and don't forget the manger!