Christmas Eve Quiet Time

I have this dream of a Christmas eve when the hub-bub of preparations for the holiday celebration stops at 6 pm. All of the holiday errands have been run. Gifts are all wrapped and under the tree which is completely decorated and brightly lit. The house is clean, the Nativity lit and window decorations up. On the stove is a simmering pot of a really good stew or soup - a new recipe we've never had before. On the buffet are the remnants of an assortment of caviar, crackers cheeses and cookies with a bowl of holiday punch for neighbors and friends who stopped by earlier to give and receive gifts. DH is preparing to take a shower and put on the brand new silk pj's and leather slippers I bought him for tonight.

About 8 pm freshly showered and be-robed we sit down where we can both see the beautifully decorated Christmas tree and put our feet up in front of the fire - soup bowls, crackers and hot toddy close by. And the best part is the music. We both love Christmas music and our combined collection runs the gamut from hard-driving Mannheim Steamroller to country western to smooth jazz. But tonight it is only the gentle, beautiful choral and instrumental music that so completely and expressively defines the meaning of Christmas.

Most of all I love the sweet quiet at midnight Christmas eve when I can look out of my living room window at the sky and imagine seeing the bright star of Bethlehem. I envision the heavenly host of angels inviting shepherds to come and see a baby lying in a cow feeding trough. I see the love of the Father as He looks on His precious Son born to die for all of the sins of all mankind for all eternity and unite us with Him, our Creator, once again. I am thankful and enveloped in love - that given to and received from DH and that of my heavenly Father.

In my dream I also see a Christmas day in which our house will be filled with the voices and laughter of the children and adults who are an important part of our lives. There is a hushed silence as one of the elders reads the Christmas story from the bible and leads us in prayer. There will be wrapping paper everywhere; football on the telly; lots of kids - some well-behaved and some not; a variety of good foods to be served, eaten then packed up; china and silverware to be laid out then washed and put carefully away. And later after a round of hugs and kisses the family will gather up their belongings and gifts to leave. We will be satisfied but exhausted. And the celebration of our Lord's birth and His loving gracious salvation will be over for another year. In my Christmas night dream all is calm and all is bright.

Will I ever actually have that Christmas dream? One can always hope. In the meantime I try to celebrate the holiday in its' true spirit - keeping in mind it is not my birthday but that of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. His life and words are to be celebrated, absorbed, followed and emulated with all of our hearts.

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