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December 24, 2004
Christmas Eve
Tonight, I am a million miles away from where I want to be. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration, but still. As the kids listen to the Christmas story, and then put out milk and cookies for Santa (and cereal for the reindeer, of course), and finally get tucked tightly into their beds, I'm here. Missing it all. It's the only Christmas Eve I've ever spent alone, and I must say I don't want to repeat the occasion.
I sent King Pen with the kids to his mom's house this week- since I knew I was working all week, plus tonight. It's been quiet. I've slept like a billion hours too-- no complaints there. But the quiet has been... lonely. At the moment, unbearable.
I get off work tonight at 11p.m. and I plan to get a few hours sleep, then wake up in the cold darkness of the morning and drive to see my babies wake up and face the joy of Christmas Day. I can't wait! It's been hard without them.
But, we had a Christmas Eve service at church, and it really centered me. I listened hard to the story of Christ's birth-- and I sang the songs that celebrated His Coming with a loud voice.
I was so glad for the clarity of that worship service, the clearing away of all the trimmings of our contemporary Christmas. The bright reds and greens faded away, and all that was left was a stunning starlit night, with a single brilliant light heralding His birth. Those wonderfully fun and traditional holiday songs grew quiet in my mind- and all I heard were the praises and proclamations of angels, Glory To The Newborn King! The gifts I've spent so much time shopping for and wrapping and eagerly awaiting the giving of-- they drifted away in the presence of God's Gift to mankind.
Christmas. So many wonderful moments to share with family, friends, even with strangers. We give to each other, we smile and we sing, we show charity to those in need, we celebrate traditions and make happy memories. It's the loveliest time of the year.
But for us, for Christians, this is truly our day. The rest of the world may share in the blessings of celebration- but it belongs to Christ and to His body of believers, and it always will. No amount of songs and cultural traditions can undo the real meaning of Christmas. No matter how many people insist on saying "Happy Holidays"-- it will never change what this day truly means. As long as man has breath to speak it, God's name will will be praised on this day. Hallelujah!
Merry Christmas, everybody. Let us bask in all the gifts of the season, but most of all, in our Emmanuel.
Spiritual Places | By WonderGirl | 8:28 PM
Comments
Me, too! There is a time on Christmas Eve when that's all I think about and reflect on (of course when I was a kid, all I thought of was presents!)
My favorite song (this year) that was playing in my head was "O Holy Night." The words are sooo beautiful!
I took the tree down today, cuz it was making me sad! I hate when the rest of the world just goes back to it's normal selfish self! I guess they didn't see the miracle. *sigh*
Posted by: annie at December 28, 2004 9:09 PM
Very interesting comments at the end there. I've never really thought about it in those words (about the day "belong(ing)" to Christ and to the Church.
PS: Am I the only guy that reads this blog? I'm starting to feel like I'm in the ladies room.
Posted by: Frank at December 28, 2004 10:16 PM
