'Twas four nights before Christmas

‘Twas four nights before Christmas, when all through the campus
All students were leaving, even while making a rumpus
The decorations were hung on the chapel wall with care
In anticipation of the kids coming there

The children would come bundled no matter the size
While visions of presents danced in their eyes
And Santa in his suit and I in red
Were settling for a celebration they wouldn’t dread

When out on the terrace there arose such a clatter
I opened the door to see what was the matter
The children flew in in such a flash
Tore open their presents and threw out their trash…

As this half rendition of a famous Christmas poem hopefully portrays, we had an awesome Christmas celebration! We celebrated early since many of the HOJ kids went to visit family over the holiday. The Christmas program we put together consisted of Christmas carols, skits, a Christmas message and a fun game. After dinner we went out Christmas caroling. I asked one of the seminary students to dress as Santa, but still one of the HOJ boys decided to surprise us with his own Santa costume. The two of them danced around as we sang songs door-to-door. After gallivanting around campus we went back and opened presents. It was so fun to watch these 30 underprivileged kids we love open these presents with delight. We spent so much time shopping, sorting and wrapping and so it was fun to see their enjoyment of them.