Stitching with Elli

Debbie has a cold…

and as she explained to Rose “This is absolutely the ACHOO…..the…worst time to…ah ah ACHOO…the worst time to have a cold!”

They were planning to go carolling tonight…but now Debbie couldn’t go…It was so depressing. She put on her hat and tried to convince the others should would be okay if she bundled up…But, she couldn’t get anyone to agree that it would be okay. They all said very logically that it would just make her cold worse , and she couldn’t really enjoy it if she was sick.

The others clustered around (but not too close! They didn’t want to get sick.) to say goodbye and tell her how sorry they were that she couldn’t go.

Debbie sniffled, but then put on a brave, cheerful face…”You all look lovely!! I’m sure you are going to do great. Nellie is going to make me chicken soup, and we will have hot chocolate for you when you get back!”

Ellen was slightly worried about leaving after she found out that Nellie was going to be in the kitchen….but the others shooed her out the door, assuring her that Josefina could handle keeping Nellie out of trouble.

All ready to sing at their first house!! There was some delay, because no one wanted to knock on the door…but Lea said she would do it ,since she was the closest to the door.

“Hark the Herald Angels siiiiiing!!!……”

“Glooory to the newborn King……”

“Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!!!”

When they left that door, they felt more confident . After all, they didn’t get yelled at or anything. In fact, the dolls that answered the door were very friendly.

Ready for the next door!! Lea knocks……

“Merry Christmas!! May we sing for you?”

“Aww , aren’t you all just as sweet as can be!” cooed the doll that opened the door. “Could  ya’ll sing “What Child is this?” for me?….I just love that song!”

The carollers obliged and launched into “What child is this?”

Lea, Ruthie, and Lanie sang…..”What Child is This who lays to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping.”

Ellen, Rose, and Samantha echoed back “This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing, Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.”

Poor Ellen didn’t seem to like singing for others…she looked rather nervous and stiff.

Together they sang the next verse….

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh …. 

 (Ruthie had  warbled “myrrh” because she thought it was a funny word, which distracted Rose and made her look at Ruthie instead of Ellen’s book she was sharing), 

Come Peasant, King to own Him
The King of Kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

“So beautiful!!!! Thank ya’ll so much! Can you come in for cookies?”

Ruthie was very excited about the idea of cookies…but, unfortunately, they had another house to get to before it got too dark.

It was getting quite dark..but they trooped up to the next door.

“Oooh this one is so pretty!” Lea exclaimed.

“Look at the blue icicles! They look like ice!” Ellen approved.

“My nose is getting cold!” Samantha mumbled, as she stumbled on the stairs going up.

“You can stand next to me!” Rose invited “I’m cold too. We can keep each other warm.”

“One more! Then we can all come home and check on Debbie and drink hot chocolate!” Lanie encouraged everyone.

They knocked and two dolls came out. The taller one had been sick so she couldn’t stand as well. She sat on the doorstep so she could listen to them.

“Can you sing Silent Night for us?” they requested.

“Silent Night, Holy Night”

“All is Calm, All is Bright”

“Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child, Holy Infant so Tender and mild”

“Sleep in heavenly peeee-aaace, Sleeeeeep in heavenly peace.

When they had finished and also sang “We wish you a merry Christmas” for them, they said their goodbye’s and their “Merry Christmas'” and headed home.

“Let’s go get some hot chocolate!!!!” Lanie and Ellen were already on the bottom step before Lea had even gotten off the top one.

Christmas carolling is a lovely tradition…have any of you ever been carolling?