Silent Night

The gifts have been secured and wrapped. A Christmas tree was finally procured so the Gaver household does, in fact, have a beautiful, petite blue spruce to call their own.

The stockings have been hung. The cookies are under construction. All signs indicate that I am ready for Christmas.

But all is not complete.

My babies are not yet here.

I know… my sons are 28 and 25 and have both been living on their own in the city for several years but at Christmastime, they will always be my babies. They will arrive on Christmas eve.

In spite of the fact that the “busyness” of the holidays is almost complete, my favorite part of Christmas awaits.

At 9:55 pm in the sanctuary of the Middletown United Methodist Church, pastors Susan and Chris will turn to light their candles from the Christ candle predominantly displayed in the middle of the alter. They will begin the chain reaction until all of our candles are glowing bright. As the sanctuary lights dim and the congregation begins to sing “Silent Night” I am once again reminded of the reason for this season.

As I peek at my sons and husband singing my favorite Christmas song and glance around the room at the illuminated faces of my church family, I savor this most beautiful moment of the holidays.

It has not been an easy year but it has been a blessed one. And I praise God for the greatest gift of all. HIS son.

May every moment of the coming year be a “Silent Night” moment for you.

Peace,

Julie