Christmas miracles

Tonight was magical.

The kind of night where you know Christmas is all about giving, good people, and warm feelings. The type of Christmas moment where you know the Holy Spirit is with you and the people around you.

We visited a local place called the Mistletoe Light Show in Phelan, CA.  http://mistletoelightshow.blogspot.com

They do a big production every year with lights all over their 2 1/2 acre property, and you can drive through it. We went last year for the first time, and it was really neat. We went again tonight.

This time we couldn't drive through, so we parked and walked in and rode the train for $1/person to see all the cool lights.

We even saw the Grinch. Sorry this is blurry. He was fun.

Then we decided to walk through. We walked under a lit bridge of lights. Walked up to a playhouse converted to a window shop of Santa's living room, saw It's a Small World, and other neat displays.  

Then we got in line to see Santa...

And a beautiful snow princess came out to greet the children.

They were letting in one family at a time. And then we got to enter Santa's house!!! When the door shut behind us, the magic grew the strongest ever. It was quiet inside. Santa was sitting by the Christmas tree and Mrs. Claus to his left. Micah loved the train (his current obsession), then...

Micah wanted to go up to Santa first.

It was so cute, he smiled big, and Santa was so friendly and gentle. Then he did the unthinkable...

He said he had something special for him. Just for Micah. WHAT?! Barry and I were so moved that he did that.

I'm so bummed this picture is blurry because Micah is sooooo excited and talking to Santa. You can almost see his face going "OOOOHHHHHHH!!!"  It was the most special moment we've ever seen with Santa.

I am still on the verge of tears when I think of the kindness from this moment. We don't know why he did that, but we can only imagine it's because Micah had something special to give to Santa too. A moment with a child with special needs can make almost anyone smile.

But it doesn't end there!!!

Sweet little Annie was next and she just loved talking to Santa and telling him she wants a razor scooter for Christmas.

Then Gracie went next. GRACIE. This is the child who has never once sat with Santa because she was always scared, even when the man behind the beard was her daddy the first year. She got on his lap, talked to him, and SMILED for a picture! This might have made us slightly more shocked than the gift from Santa to Micah.

I took three pictures of this awesome moment, but this was the best of Gracie. Santa was looking at his dear wife to give Gracie a small gift of a candy cane and small bag of Legos (all the girls got these). 

And then sweet Chloe wanted a picture with Mrs. Claus.

We don't know the people who run this event each year, but they are very special people. It costs them A LOT of money to run the lights each year and do it all out of generosity and donations. Then they are handing out GIFTS? And nice ones too. Barry and I were both so overcome with emotion from the experience with Santa that neither of us could hardly contain ourselves. We exited the special house and took some more photographs.

Then we found the (real) mistletoe hanging over the cute little bench. And we couldn't resist. Thank you to our junior photographer for this special moment :)

And of course, the Christmas scene wouldn't be complete without seeing a nativity showcasing the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We've been home over two hours, and I'm still in awe of how beautiful and amazing this night was. There are still GOOD people in the world. They still make our lives a little better and brighter with their kind, giving hearts, warmth, and cheer.

Thank you, Santa and Mrs. Claus of the Mistletoe Light Show! You made our night, and a special memory with our children.

Love, the Ray Family

2013