Thursday, December 25, 2008

God Bless Them, Every One...

As I sit here and think about Christmas, I have many thoughts competing for attention in my brain. I have no idea how to put all the thoughts and feelings into words.

I think of our Christmas Eve candlelight service: of the incredible experience of signing some of my favorite Christmas Songs. Then, standing with my children, all of us holding lit candles in the darkened sanctuary, singing Silent Night.

I think of the moments during the service that I was reminded of how much I love my church family - for loving and caring for my children, and thus loving and caring for me - allowing me to participate in the deaf ministry in a way that so moves me.

I think of the excitement of my children as they try to settle down and fall asleep so that Santa can visit them. I envision the looks on their faces when they wake in the morning (and to quote the Grinch: "...and the noise, noise, noise, NOISE"). Unlike the Grinch, however, I recognize it as Joyful noise, and look forward to its presence in my home.

I reminisce on my mother's recent visit. It was certainly the busiest and most "memorable" in many ways...Toward the end, we finally had a little 'down time' to just visit, which is what I will remember most.

I look forward the possibility of a visit with one of my "teachers" Christmas afternoon.

And I do look forward to my "long winter's rest" which, quiet possibly, may start in just a few days... (YES!)

But, the feeling I keep returning to is Gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for. And, tonight, as I sit here, thinking about Christmas, I am most grateful for the love that surrounds, supports and sustains my life.



Merry, Merry Christmas to you all.

And, as Tiny Tim would have said: "God bless them, every one!"




"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son" John 3:16

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

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