‘Twas night before Christmas and all through the Little’s house
Not a creature was stirring, except for Gretchen’s computer mouse.
The stockings were hung by the fireplace and waiting to be stuffed
By Brian and Gretchen who had shopped enough!
The boys were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Christmas bliss danced in their heads.
Brian was upstairs and trying to sleep,
Wondering if the ACC title the Hokies would keep.
When from the computer arose such a clatter,
Brian came down to see what was the matter.
The moon shone through the window telling of late,
“Keep it down!” insisted Brian, “or the boys will awake!”
When what to our wondering eyes did appear?
A Christmas letter telling everything we did this past year!
With so many paragraphs about a year of activities,
Too many stories about ourselves, the busy bees.
More words than a dictionary spewed forth from the printer.
Brian whistled and whispered and read through the letter.
“With New Years came the news that we were going to have a baby,
And then Grant turned five in the middle of January.
Brian ran the 10K in April, and we enjoyed a pleasant Easter,
With egg hunts and family and warmer weather.
In May, Brian went to Asia and was eating crazy food.
While Gretchen was seven months pregnant chasing our wild brood.
Brian read on about Grant playing golf in the spring,
And a trip to the farm for strawberry picking.
To the pool and the beach with the Moores in the summer,
Where the boy’s daring stunts worried their mother.
In July our fourth son was born: Davis Parker.
Grant, Bryce and Carter love their new little brother.
Then Carter turned two and learned how to scream,
Unless he was eating crackers, brownies or ice-cream.
Grant started kindergarten in early September.
Apple picking and superhero costumes, a fall to remember.
Bryce playing soccer and saying funny things,
Special times with family and hosting Thanksgiving.
The boys in their fun and crazy ways
Have brought more joy to our lives than we know how to say.”
But really, our letter was just about our family,
We had almost forgotten to acknowledge the three.
Three kings that came from afar with their gifts,
To worship a new King whose glory our spirits would lift.
The angel who told the shepherds the news of the baby, our Savior,
Whom they could find laying on hay in a manger.
This new babe, our King and our Savior, Behold,
This is the story that on Christmas should be told.
So our best efforts worthless, we happily remembered,
To leave Jesus out of Christmas would be absurd.
He is the reason we have the things that we do
He is the Great Gift Giver and Provider for you.
He gave us His Word. He completed his quest,
That provides our Salvation with only one request.
That we believe in His name as Creator of all,
That we receive His forgiveness and answer His call.
His invitation is most miraculous now,
As we see Him, our King, laying next to a cow.
How could it be? That our King was thus treated?
He wants you to know that your best is not needed.
He’s calling to you, and I imagine He’s said,
“Merry Christmas to you, your ransom has been paid.”
Merry Christmas and All Our Love!
Brian, Gretchen,
Grant, Bryce, Carter & Davis
Bryce and his Lego creation. He loves his new Legos.
Carter looking at a new book from Grammy and Pappy.
Batman p.j.'s from Aunt Tara.
Bundled up in Colonial Williamsburg.
Our attempt at a gingerbread house.
Granpa and Davis.
There he is!
Grant and his new driver.
Bryce with his new Virginia Tech hat.
Davis in his new (to him) exer-saucer.
Carter trying on his new Superman pajamas.
Brian holding his new driver.
My cousin, Jordan (one of Trish's daughters), holding Davis.
Happy first Christmas, Davis!
His Darth Vader toy. 
Bryce (I think he was asking for a turn with the camera).
Our friends Greg and Joy.
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