Visit with Father Christmas

This past Saturday we had our Ward Christmas Party. It was great! We had a potluck dinner followed by the Christmas Story acted out by members in the ward. At the very end of the story Father Christmas, dressed in all white, made a visit to baby Jesus.

He then told a story to all the children about 3 trees. One tree was scrap wood, one tree was made into a boat, and the other tree was made into a feeding trough. Well, as you probably guessed the feeding trough was the manger where Jesus lay in the the stable. The boat was the very boat belonging to the apostles Peter, James, and John in which carried Jesus. And the scrap wood was the very wood which held Christ as nailed pierced his hands and feet.

(Can you spot Iolana in this picture? And if you're good you can see me too!)

The children were mesmerized. Once Father Christmas was done reading the story he had one of the children help him open up one of the gifts under the tree. Inside was a statue of Christ and he said, "Let us never forget the gift that our Father in Heaven has given us..." How true this is, with all the hustling to get gifts, to catch the flight to grandma's, let us not forget why we celebrate Christmas. Lets spend some time with our families remembering the things that really matter. Lets take some time to remember those who won't be with their families for Christmas.

Here are a few pictures of the event and Kaylin's first visit with Santa. She kept tugging at his beard. :)