On those sleepless nights, as was last night for me, and let’s specify at around 3:15 am, sitting in my favorite living room chair, I usually notice something: a hush, a palpable quiet, a closeness to silence as one can easily find (minus, of course, the uninvited refrigerator compressor kicking on). Now, fast forward 12 hours to 3:15 pm. Hush? Probably not, unless you are far up into the Yukon.
I believe I am second to none in my love for and enjoyment of the Christmas season, particularly as it gives rise in me to consider, once again, the true depths and importance of what John Newton dubbed “Amazing Grace” — true hope for a world so obviously broken, through God’s “indescribable gift” (II Corinthians 9:15).
For some, Christmas is a mad rush to try to make everything perfect for the season and the big day, causing a concurrent undertow (surfers understand), making the season’s eventual passing a relief. For others, Christmas is more of a crush — grudgingly dealing with the too often surface sentimentality, while they struggle under the weight of disappointment, broken dreams, loss, confusion, and a future shrouded in an oppressive fog.
But for some, even perhaps the few today, Christmas brings a hush, a time to reflect, to listen, to observe, to count blessings, to breath…to worship He who emptied Himself into our world, took on our condition, and carried it to — and through (!) — the cross, all the way to our deliverance.
Before the big day, may you fast forward through, or even step away from the rush, and into real joy, peace. and abiding rest, &/or may you rise up and out of the crush, to find the reverent and grateful hush of soaking in the “…good tidings of great joy which is to ALL people” (Luke 2:10). Noel Shalom! (yeah, I know I mixed languages there — please, bear me the indulgence…I like how it sounds, okay…now hush 🤫…).
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