Dec 25, 2013

A Christmas Symphony

The children have been brimming with anticipation for weeks. An early snow set for them a Christmas scene that beckoned the holiday to come quickly. But it only seemed to stall. Still, I shop and wrap and scheme a plan to make this a special Christmas to remember.

"It’s Jesus’ birthday! Happy birthday, Jesus!” the littlest exclaims. “Do you think He can hear me?”
I nod and smile, knowing intimately that He does.

He does.

A newlywed couple sent us their card, of eyes and grins beaming, enjoying their first holiday together. And others now adorn our pantry door, a patchwork of faces and stories. Of smiles in spite of pain and of joy in spite of trial. I have walked in some of their shoes for just a mile or two, and can see past the red and green fonts and clip art. On some cards there are new, round faces to kiss. While on others there are sweet faces missing. The tears come easily as the tape masks these ones into place in this half finished collage.

There is a sweet newborn cry at the hospital, of a little girl who has just begun to breathe in this world.
And there’s an old man lying in his bed, in a house that echoes with memories of Christmases past, where children and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren alike, have laughed and shared meals together. The halls are quieter now as he waits for a Home coming like no other.

We drive. With five merry souls singing a carol out of tune in the rows behind us, we go. The twinkling lights that dress the houses along the streets seem to echo, becoming mere joyous reflections of the crystal night with her gleaming, white stars.

A universe aglow above us. Around us.

My heart is full, with both the heights and the depths, in awe of how they seem to mingle together into a finely tuned song on this one day of the year. And I’m in awe of their higher purpose, which can only be brought into focus by the King who heard us, and answered.

With my face turned toward the foggy car window that is refracting the glow of the world, I whisper, “Do You see it? It’s all for You.”