Before I began to write out the last of the Christmas cards, I was on my knees at the side of my daughter’s bed, clasping her fingers in mine as I wiped her tears away and kissed her goodnight. I whispered for her to close her eyes and her lids went shut while the eye inside kept up the rapid movement. She brought my fingers to her lips and kissed them with a smile, while making sure her lids stayed closed. I marveled as I looked at the sleepy face of our miracle, wondering at the perfection of her angelic face, taking in the slowing breaths of her heaving chest, smiling at the slight smirk that remained even as slumber took over.
Each day we wake to the same miracle, gazing into the eyes of life that was granted one day at a time to each of us. Our lungs take in the breath of life, our heart works to deliver life to each cell of our body, and our individual gifts and talents give birth to our life’s calling and purpose. All that we are, everything that we have has been given to us by the Breath of Heaven.
This season we marvel at the miracle, immaculate conception, and our gift is the miracle. Nestled away in a manger His first breath brought hope, His last breath secured it for all eternity. The darkness of that holy night burst forth into the Light of the world. The silent night was broken with the sound of the angelic proclamation of Good News that continues to echo each time we open, hear, and remember the Holy Word. Bells were a’jingling as heaven’s chorus danced as the first sinner became the recipient of Jesus’ gift of new life. God continues to look and beckon from heaven, urging the faithful to come and remember, come and adore the Baby whose Life is the greatest Gift the world has ever known.
As a family we are remembering and looking to the heavens for His return. Our hearts cry out, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, come again and bring us to our eternal home that we may be eternally Home for Christmas.”
From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and pray that you do more than consider or remember the reason for the season. We earnestly hope that you give the Babe who had no place to call His own a home in your heart, simply respond to His gift as your gift to Him this year. God’s Holy Word promises that when one lost soul turns to God, heaven throws a party. Do you hear it…? “Hark, the herald angels sing!”
God’s blessing to all of you!