Christmas Eve

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. It always has been. When I was little, it was about Santa and the fun family traditions we had- Mom's amazing meals and baked goods, finding the perfect tree with dad, reading the Christmas story every Christmas eve as a family, caroling with the church, getting together with extended family on Christmas day, and so on.

There was something magical about this Christmas for me. For one thing, it was Hannah's first Christmas and I think that her presence made me think about Christmas in a way I'd never thought about it before. We attended the Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service at FBC, Clemson. The Christmas Story was read, the sermon was preached and communion was served. At the close of the service, it's tradition to sing "Silent Night" by candle light. The music started, the congregation stood and gathered closer together as the lights dimmed and the candle light was slowly passed from one candle to the next. During the hymn, Hannah fell asleep in my arms and Wes stretched his arm around me and smiled. In that moment, I thanked God for my many blessings. As I looked down at Hannah, tears began to fill my eyes. What a miracle I was holding, what a gift God sent to Wes and me. I began thinking about what Mary must have felt like that first Christmas, many years ago. What did she feel like the 9 months she carried Jesus? How did she prepare to bring such a long awaited miracle into the world? Did she fully grasp what amazing work this child would do? I'd never really stopped to think about how Mary dealt with this miracle and the task she was charged with until my own child was born. What a brave woman!

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, holy night!

Son of God love's pure light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!