Silent Night

There is a stillness, a peaceful quiet that happens as Christmas comes to a close.  The roads are less traveled, the store fronts are closed, the phone rings less and the email bing is silent.  This year, I noticed the stillness more than I have in the past...and I reveled in it.

The excitement and energy of Christmas morning has waned into a shared sofa with my mother and Fa La La La Lifetime.  I truly can't imagine a better day... a day spent with family and loved ones.

I've already made my list of people to see and stores to visit tomorrow and I know that this quiet won't last much longer.  But it got me to thinking.  To thinking about the peace that comes on Christmas; God's simple way of making me pause and take stock of all the wonderful gifts in my life.  More so today than any other day I recognize the beauty in my world - the surprise White Christmas, the laughter through tears at the Christmas dinner table, the longing for friends, the bittersweet memories of Christmas's with my dad and grandparents, the special hope for Christmas's future and the pure joy of knowing that today is different.

So today, I'll not send a message to the cosmic void, but I'll send a message to each of you.  Today I won't send my questions, worries or woes.  Today I wish you each the peace of knowing Christ's love and the warmth of your families loving embrace.

When I was little I would read the following passage outloud on Christmas Eve to my family, from Luke.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."


Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Merry Christmas.