Almost all of us attended Hegge's church this morning. Oscar, Miss Margaret Bie, John, Alfred and I walked to the church by way of Greenwood and paid a visit to Agnes’ grave. It looks well cared for. On last Sunday Anna and I put a wreath of evergreens on it. Service in church was very impressive. So nice to attend a service in my own church for a change. The Male Chorus was there and sang one of my compositions with great success and enthusiasm. This song I wrote earlier in the month after unsuccessful attempts to find a suitable Christmas song. They also sang “The Heavens Declare” by Beethoven. No one but the Male Chorus knew that the first song was my own. I enjoyed the secrecy, Wanting, for the fun of it, to know Rev. Hegge's opinion of my song, I asked him what he thought of our Christmas song. He was very complimentary, which meant a great deal, coming from him who never flatters. I was greatly amused by the fun, and pleased that he liked my song better than the Beethoven.
As we came from the car on our way home, I spied Anna and Helen Lee. I hastily caught up to them and we exchanged Christmas greetings. They had been over to the house—and also to church, but had left early with Christmas gifts. I was very happy to find that Anna had brought and given me a beautiful painting of pansies in a lovely frame. I indeed felt proud of it, and I remembered that some years ago, Anna had promised to paint a picture for me. She has since referred to it several times but has not taken any painting lessons for some time. The pansies are artistically painted, and will be a source of pleasant delight to me.
Called on Anna this afternoon and spent the afternoon with her in her parlor. We had coffee together, and had a nice time, In the evening, again we met at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church, where there was a Christmas festival for the seamen. I presided at the organ, and my Male Chorus sang. Very enjoyable.
Young people’s society of our church had a Christmas tree festival. Josie was there.