Thursday, December 11th, arrived, a day that promised to be very joyful. After untold hours of music practice over the course of many weeks and six actual “pre-performance” concerts, the community concert day dawned. We were grateful for many answers to prayer. The weather was mild (no snow!), the lead singers were cold-free, set up went smoothly, and there was just enough room for everyone who came to the concert. Praise Jesus.

We set up and practiced in the afternoon. We’ve used this same location for all three years that we have had a community Christmas concert, and although they had construction blocking the main entrance doors, it still worked out great. A little after 6 pm, the first attendees arrived. What a joy it was to see so many we knew and some we didn’t know filter into the room. By the time it was 7, the room was crowded with many people, so Nathan and some others began to set up more chairs in the back. I love seeing my family work together.

You could feel the enthusiasm from the audience as my brothers and sisters opened with their upbeat rendition of Joy to the World. Interspersed between songs, we shared testimonies, and the little ones recited Scripture.

It was such a beautiful evening! We love to share Christmas joy, and talk about Jesus, His birth, and love for mankind.

It was hard to pick out just the right pictures for this post, so I erred a bit on more than less.

Love,
Sarah

Dad, Mom, and I arrived a little early, and I grabbed their picture while we waited for friends to start arriving.

Christopher and Joshua played a little harmonica duet in the middle of a song.

Don’t you love Tina’s stuffed animal? Tina has such a cute personality.

Wide angle from the front row.

I was going to do a quick family picture for C&A, and Tina jumped in the shot. She was too cute to ask to not be in. I told you she has quite the personality: why miss out on a fun picture with your aunt and uncle? Then, the next collage happened. I wanted to get a picture of the almost-twin cousins, but getting two 2 year olds to stand next to each other after a long evening proved to be a little challenging, especially for Joshua. 

He was all done at this point.

Drew was tuckered out too. So sweet.

A very special thanks to each in the group who put so much time and effort into the concert.

Jesse: Mr. Creativity, group leader, song arranger (we’re talking no sheet music), plays keyboard, sings

Joseph and Elissa: Joseph plays guitar, play mandolin on one song, sings lead/Elissa plays guitar, rhythm shaker, sings harmony

John: Banjo guy, all-around-lively-guy, offers moral support (as in keeps everyone laughing), sings

Anna: Plays fiddle, sings lead and harmony

Mary: Plays bass, sings lead and harmony

Me (Sarah): Photographer 😉

“But Mary kept all these things,
and pondered them in her heart.”
Luke 2:19