A Life Full of Gratitude ~ A Heart Full of Gratitude: Christmas Concert 2015

Jaret and Kirra had their Christmas Concert tonight. It was bittersweet for me because it is Jaret's last formal Christmas Concert. Just another sign that he is growing up. However, Jaret has never been the performer and really doesn't care to be up on stage. It was great watching him tonight. He was in the front row off to the side next to a girl from his class named Sandra. Well, Sandra loves to sing and dance and in Jaret's words, "She would like to do a Christmas Concert every night. Mom, she kept asking me if I was excited about the concert and if I would like to do one every night. And I just kept telling her, 'No.' It is the opposite. I would rather be at home learning about history, world war, and playing risk. I bet if she had the choice to do that she would understand and she would be like, 'No, I would rather do a Christmas Concert than play Risk.'" Oh how that made me laugh. He is definitely his Father's son.

And then you take Kirra. On the way home Kirra was singing some of the songs again, songs that she had been trying to not sing leading up to the concert because she didn't want to spoil it for me. She couldn't stop talking about the concert and how much fun it was. She told me that she was a little nervous in the beginning but once she started singing, "The butterflies just disappeared." Then she asks, "Mom, is there an Easter Concert because I really hope so?!" I am sure, knowing how much work it is, that her music teachers would respond quite exhausted that no, one is all they can handle a year.

The concert was incredible! The Grade One classes performed three songs first and they looked and sounded great. Kirra was so sweet with her friend Dawson, reminding him when it was time to come back to his spot for the start of the next song. She truly cares for Dawson and after the concert said she hopes she can be best friends with him and Angelina and Kaycee and...(the list went on) forever! I love her heart. Although, Kaycee wasn't at the concert tonight as she had gone home sick earlier in the day. She was missed.

After the Grade One classes performed, it was time for the Grades 2-4 students. The production was entitled, "A Tree Lot Christmas." It was a wonderful musical about "joining Jesus' family tree." The Grade 4 actors were so talented and spoke so clearly and were dramatic. The music when the class choirs joined in to sing was incredible. The message of Jesus being born, that we are part of his family, and the salvation message were heard loud and clear. It was a perfect way to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas. I am so grateful that Jaret and Kirra attend a Christian school where they are still able to do Christmas Concerts - and do them the way they were meant to be. A huge thank you to the teachers who were involved in this year's concert. It was one of the best yet!

I have included a couple of pictures and some video from the concert. It isn't the same as being there and having the songs compliment the acting but I hope it brings a smile to your day and reminds you about what Christmas is truly about...