My Christmas

I always spend my holidays with a variety of people, young and old, new and familiar, but Christmas is always the same. Though we do change over the years develop into our own separate people with distinct characteristics that make us us. We've got the English teacher who has an outstanding heart for keeping the earth green and qualities that I'm still figuring out. The potential Chemistry Teacher, who is sarcastic but so sweet. The potential Engineer, who loves his family more than anything and is such a brother to me and a great one at that. The fashion guru mom. The funky hip mom. The sweet caring, hippie mom. The moms. The writer father. The crazy awesome mad scientist dad. The go with you anywhere grandfather. The intellectual do anything for you grandfather. The wannabe movie star, that loves helping animals. The children. The learners.
I love family. These are just few of the great characteristics I get to enjoy every holiday and special day and good day and terrible and day. This was my Christmas.

Shine your light

Tonight, as I sat in Christmas Eve Service at church, we have a tradition of lighting hand held candles and singing Silent Night. We used to sing in a circle that lined the church but every year it has changed even if just a little bit. I'm starting to view even those smallest changes in a good way, it's not really my church in the same sense anymore; its great for the people that are there, it's a great environment for spiritual growth, it's not mine anymore. Though that's besides the point that I want to make.

Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm all is bright, round yond virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

We lit our candles, slowly, the fire and the light grew in the room and everyone had their candles lit. Some took longer than others and during this time of waiting I applied the thoughts to my life, my future. Talking to people about Christ, sharing His love. Christmas is about His love, perfect love, life is about His love. Silent night, Holy night, all is calm, all is bright...no matter how many people in that room had "fallen away" from the church or "gone sour" or "didn't care for the politics of the church...etc" it didn't matter, it was peaceful. It wasn't about materialism or being caught up in presents, it was about a Savior being born, about being thankful, about the gift of love that God has given us, it was absolutely mutual all around. It was beautiful. Though too short lived, soon announced was, now we will sing Go Tell it on the Mountain and you can extinguish your candles, I tried to grasp onto the moment for as long as possible, but unfortunately great and favorite moments have to end. Those that blew out their candles quick reminded me of lost faith, forgotten faith. Darkened room.

For me I will side with Bebo Norman this holiday and this lifetime,
"Great light of the world, fill up my life"

Make me thirsty Lord. Thank you for this family you've given me, Thank you for giving us the gift of love and our Savior. This is my prayer this Christmas, this lifetime.
Amen