Silent Nights

I was just listening to the radio and heard the Manheim Steamroller song, "Silent Night." It was so beautiful and almost brought me to tears on this Christmas Eve morning. It was so earthy with the wind blowing and angelic humming in the background. It really made me think about that one night, so long ago. How silent it must have been and what a precious moment to see, to take it all in. I wonder if there was a glow around Him. I wonder if Mary's emotions were the same as all new mothers or different in some way, knowing that she had just given birth to the Savior. I wonder if the animals even gazed in amazement at the Creator in human form.
I really enjoy shopping for gifts and wrapping them every year, with anticipation of finding the perfect gift and seeing their faces when they open it. Seems like such a simple tradition, and yet I wonder if I have missed the mark once again. Why am I getting presents for others? It's not their birthday. When I was wrapping presents this year, my six year old asked me why we don't believe in Santa Claus since all of her friends believe in Santa. My parents use to write " from santa" on one of my presents each year. I knew he didn't exsist, but I guess it was just a fun tradition. Instead of doing a gift from santa, I wrote "from Jesus" on one of our gifts. But as I sit and type I realize how much I can utilize this holiday, these moments, to glorifye God and teach my children what is really important at Christmas time. Many say that it is to love one another, to give and not receive. That is true, but shouldn't we be doing that all year long? The purpose of this holiday is to rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior. To dwell on the moment that changed our lives forever and eternally. So, today I am thinking about how Jesus would want to celebrate His birthday. What would He do? What would He want others to do to help celebrate? I envision that He would tell others about God and what they need to do to have eternal life. I envision He would walk around showing love and compassion to even complete strangers. I envision He would meditate on the Word of God and sing praises to Him.
Maybe I am doing things right.
I will praise God this year for my blessings abound that He has bestowed on me. I will praise God for my little Caleb, for my Daniel in all his ornariness, for my Nathan and his timid personality, for my Elizabeth and her sweet disposition, for my David and everything he is to me, for my parents and sibblings and their generosity and love toward us, for my friends and their steadfast loyalty, for my home, for the food on the table each night and for the life that God has given me. I am so fotunate to be chosen to live a life to serve Him. Merry Christmas!