Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith Christmas

Tonight was pretty much Madison's first real concert experience, with a visit to one of Daddy's favorite artists ever.  Amy Grant and Michael W Smith do a Christmas tour each year, one we've been to before, but it was before we met Madison.  So when the opportunity to come to another concert came up, we got the tickets and were there!

It was down in Duluth, which is so easy to get to, and free for parking, and nowhere near the hassle that is Phillips Arena, or any place in midtown for that matter.  In fact, we gave ourselves some extra time to get there, and wound up arriving about 45 minutes early.  And that was okay for us, just hanging around and getting ready for the concert.

As for the show itself, it was tremendous as always.  It felt like a homecoming of sorts, with such an emphasis on family tonight.  These two are family, in that way back in high school I remember us all singing "Friends," and their other songs as well.  We go back a long ways, the two of them and us!  They did a lot of the songs featured on their Christmas releases, and some from an upcoming project, and then a few others from non-Christmas CDs.  And then there was the guy to the right there - his name is Jordan Smith.  He has easily one of the most impressive voices ever.  Stunning.  His versions of "All is Well" and "Oh Holy Night" were unforgettable experiences.

Amy's version of "To Be Together" might have been Daddy's favorite song of the night, along with Michael W. Smith doing "Gloria" with that full orchestra playing behind them.  Yes, there was a full orchestra tonight, playing for them as they did songs like "Breath of Heaven," "Happy Holidays," "Tender Tennessee Christmas," "Christmas Time," and so many more.  It was a wonderful event, and our seats were really good tonight as well.

It was so nice to be together, and when everyone in the entire arena began singing Christmas carols like "Silent Night," it just felt wonderful to be there.  As a plus, it was Amy's birthday, so the entire arena was once again singing, this time "Happy Birthday to You."

Madison had a great time, and some time from now she might fully understand how incredible it is to see these icons of Christian music together, especially at that one moment towards the end, singing "Friends."  Are you serious?  That song was like a time machine that zapped everyone in the audience and shot us back thirty years.  It was a special kind of magic in the music, and we're glad we went.  Madison's first concert.

Today's other events were putting up decorations, and Madison playing a lot of Minecraft.  We had leftovers, and were listening to Christmas records today - including the Sesame Street Christmas.  Now there's another gem there!  We put up all the pictures of Madison with Santa - we've got quite the collection now.  By tomorrow, all the decorations should be up, largely.  It's quite the process, but we're really in the Christmas season now.