UPDATED: 12/8/19.
Every so often I peruse through blog posts I’ve written over the years. When I reread them, sometimes I’ll look for grammatical errors that I didn’t catch (I can’t help myself, I’m a writer), other times, I sit back and enjoy the crafted posts recalling my thought process for writing a particular post at the time. I guess it keeps me grounded to my passion. Blogging is my communication means of looking for the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Well, here we are again…December. Christmas is just around the corner. Recently, I heard “Somewhere in Your Silent Night” by Casting Crowns on the radio. I love this song. Listen here. It brought me back to two years ago when I wrote this post below.
It was a good Christmas for me and my family that year. But all around me, I had noticed people were sad, rushed, weary, and alone. I had written this for those who needed to read and be reminded that God was there for them and to turn to Him in all their times of need. No family is perfect, no holiday gathering will go smoothly, and when it’s all over, we will go about our days just the same. Unless…
This 2019 year has been particularly challenging for me and my family. We’ve had to overcome a few medical obstacles; some have disappeared while others have materialized without warning. It has been troubling and burdensome at times, and I know what we have been going through pales in comparison to what others might be experiencing. We aren’t the only ones. The Bible tells us there will be troubles in this world. It is true.
I’m reminded that God’s only son, Jesus, came to this world to teach us to love. Many years later He suffered and died for our sins. No human being I know could go through what He did. But, He did it for me, my family, and for you.
The song, Somewhere in Your Silent Night is that gentle tug or nudge letting me know to holdfast and stay the course, things will be okay. With trust in God, I can hope for the possibility that it will.
May your coming nights this season be not so silent.
It’s Christmas Eve.
Salvation Army bells are ringing. Stores are still crowded with last-minute shoppers. Ovens are working overtime with baking goods. Families are reuniting again. And, most churches will be filled to capacity at midnight mass.
As a child, I loved this time of year because of the gifts. Who didn’t? The excitement, the anticipation of opening toys sent from Santa. Yes, we went to mass, sometimes at midnight, other times on Christmas morning. But, the whole mass thing was just a formality. I never paid attention to the true meaning of this season.
Now that I am older, I realize more and more that the story of our Lord and Savior’s birth and what He came to do here on Earth supersedes any material gifts because He was our gift.
But I know for others, Christmas time evokes painful memories and experiences. Rather than a celebration, this day will be another silent night. Many are suffering. Many have lost their way. Many have lost loved ones. And, many have never had a relationship with God’s only Son.
To those who feel they are invisible, and to those with trials and burdens, I pray that on this day, your heart will be light and your burdens will be a little less. Your purpose in this life is not for nothing. You are loved, you are treasured, and you matter.
This post was inspired by this song… “Somewhere in Your Silent Night” by Casting Crowns. Take a listen here.
Blessings to you. Until next time…
Be well. Be safe. Be happy.