All My Heart - Christmas Day

Hymn #217 Trinity Hymnal: All My Heart This Night Rejoices
A hymn attributed to Paul Gerhardt, 1653
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1858

All my heart this night rejoices
As I hear far and near sweetest angel voices.
"Christ is Born," their choirs are singing
Till the air everywhere now with joy is ringing.

Forth today the Conqu'or goeth,
Who the foe, sin and woe, death and hell o'erthroweth.
God is man, man to deliver;
His dear Son now is one with our blood forever

Shall we still dread God's displeasure--
Who to save, freely gave His most cherished Treasure?
To redeem us, He hath given
His own Son from the throne of His might in heaven.

He becomes the Lamb that taketh
Sin away and for aye full atonement maketh.
For our life His own He tenders;
and our race, by His grace, meet for glory renders.

Hark! A voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweeth, doth entreat, "Flee from woe and danger!
Brethren from all ills that grieve you,
You are freed, all you need I will surely give you!"

Come, then, banish all your sadness
One and all, great and small; come with songs of gladness.
Love Him who with love is glowing;
Hail the star, near and far, light and joy bestowing.

Dearest Lord, thee will I cherish.
Though my breath fail in death, yet I shall not perish,
But with thee abide forever
There on high in that joy which can vanish never.


Brandt (missing two teeth after his clash with the ice skating rink on Friday) with his Campbell's Living Forest series from Grandma and Grandpa. Yes, the teeth were permanent. Thanks much to our dentist, Tim Moore, who saw Brandt immediately on Friday evening following the accident. It remains to be seen if the teeth can be saved.


Evangeline shows off the present that Gresham picked out carefully just for her. This is a tradition we've developed over the past three years. The kids draw each others' names and take some time choosing a gift. This is a huge blessing as we see each of them spend their time and their money to find something thoughtful for their sibling.


The kids show off the zip line that Grandma and Grandpa bought for them.


Eva opening her present from Gresham


Brian and the kids right after they gave him the "Ten Ps in a Pod" present they bought for him


Gresham with the watercolor set that Brandt chose for him. Gresham threw his arms around Brandt and said, "Thanks so much Brandt!" with all of the feeling he could muster. And for Gresham, that is a lot of feeling!


Seth and Eva with the game that Eva "bought" for Seth.



Me, showing off my soft shall jacket that Brian bought for me in Denver