The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

It was truly the best Christmas pageant ever, although I must admit I'm probably quite biased.

This week marked Grace's Christmas program with her preschool classmates, and it definitely didn't disappoint.  It was so much fun to see all the kids dressed up in their holiday best, and Grace looked extra cute in her red and white striped Santa dress.

Gracie and her dad are all ready for the Christmas program.

Believe it or not, we arrived at the church early, and Grace had plenty of time to see her friends before the program, while we found our seats.   I think she got her photo taken with all the girls in her class before they even came down to the sanctuary.

Grace and her friends before the program.

After an introduction from her teacher and a few Christmas carols with the congregation, the kids filed into the church, and Grace's aide, Alex carried her up the aisle. They even stopped at our pew for a quick wave.

The program included about ten Christmas songs, including some favorites like "Jingle Bells," "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Away in a Manger," "Happy Birthday Jesus," and others.  

Grace is all smiles while she plays the maraca during the program.

Each child got to be featured either singing or playing on an instrument in several songs. Grace's was "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and she got to play a maraca. Alex helped her, and she really seemed to enjoy shaking it. 

Then, near the end of the program, she and several of her friends in class got to sing "Go Tell It On The Mountain" together. That song is extra special in our family because my cousin Keith sang it as his solo when he was in the preschool program 20 years ago. It's long since been a family favorite.

Grace singing with her friends to "Go Tell It On The Mountain."

What made it even more special tonight is that Grace shared the stage with some of her friends singing to her. We feel so blessed that the students in this class love Grace so very much. They are always playing with her, reading to her, talking to her and making sure she's okay.  When I dropped her off this morning for school, the girls were just waiting for her to sit in her chair so they could play with her.

Class photo after the program.

I smiled from ear to ear during tonight's program, watching the kids sing, keeping my eye on Grace and how much she was enjoying it.  I had a lot of trouble watching last year's program, because I was so hurt that Grace wasn't the one singing or participating in the way I expected her to. But I've come a long way. Grace may not be able to sing the words to the songs with her classmates, but she truly enjoys the music and being a part of the program.

Cheesing with Mommy after the program.

They close every program with "Jesus Loves Me," which has always been one of her favorite songs. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I watched her break into a big grin listening to the kids sing her favorite song. But this year, they were happy tears, because I was so proud of Grace for doing such a great job during her program. 

Both sets of grandparents came to see her in the program.

mlh