Noel

Thousands of years ago a small child changed the world forever. His life and actions brought much of peace, joy, and acceptance for those in need. That love that He exhibited flows forth into the hearts of mankind, and when they allow it entrance it changes them forever. At this time of the year gifts are given and words are said to people that are often insincere. It saddens me to see such artifice posing as care, but I believe that for every person that abuses the season that there are hundreds that embrace it, and thatis one of the many miracles of Christmas. I could choose to be saddened by the artifice, but instead I try to view the world through rose-coloured glasses for a few weeks of winter. I try to see only the good, ignore the crazy drivers, see the fake Santas as the real one, and for a few short weeks remember in the deepest way possible that God sent a child to save the world.

And that is particularly poignant for me . . . a child sent to save us. It makes perfect sense to me as it never has before. I can think of no greater joy than a baby, and the fact that God sent our Savior in the form of a child seems to be the most sensible thing imaginable. And I’ll be honest with you, there have been times in the past where I, like many people of the time, found the peaceful coming of God to earth to be anticlimactic. Don’t get me wrong; I never doubted God knew what He was doing. I guess I just always wanted drama for any event of importance.

Then one day I awoke with the realization that everyone in my life that truly matters entered with a silent peace and prompting nudge from God. Like simple pleasures of children, each of these people have entered with no fanfare to herald their coming, no drama to signify their later importance, and nothing but simple heart touching light. Entered into my heart, just as the Christ child enters into the heart of so many souls at Christmas. God has blessed me with many of these experiences, and my gratitude for this insight, that all truly important relationships are peaceful and without the drama of the world, flows into my heart with the same pure simplicity of a child’s smile. All of joy and clarity rests in the phrase . . . For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.

Every good gift I have ever known has come to me through God. Every kindred spirit, every happiness, every little moment of peace, and every truly joyful day of my life. The day my father read my Master's Thesis, the day my mom taught me to make bread, the night I talked to Alysia until our eyes were crossing and the giggling wouldn't stop; bad poetry with Becky now and the better stuff now. And the others, like the day Robin tapped my shoulder in Shakespeare, , the night I talked to Roger until dawn, a chocolate day in Eger, Hungary, the first time I held Kenzi, Will, Brenna, Sadie, or Hudson, the day that Doug and I moved a couch only to sit on it without cushions for ten hours talking, the night Kelly and I got lost and found until we couldn’t stop laughing in Odessa, the moment Doug took my hand in the temple. All came simply, without fanfare, only after their stars were set in my memory did they herald their individual importance in my life.. All these tidbits came without acclaim. Yet, these are the defining moments, the ones that have made me who I am. And all were the best of many good days in my life.

So despite this year of many sorrows, I am filled with a holy peace this season, a hope for a better new year, but more importantly a deep appreciation for the old one. "What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." And that my friends and family is my prayer for you. Happy Christmas.