Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove
Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?
I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice
Through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?
Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace
I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men
Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their flock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid
And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace
I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night
The above are lyrics from Amy Grant's song. I heard this song a few weeks ago and it so connected with me. As much as I love our crazy Christmas, I do wish we could spend the season with a bit more quiet time and reflection. It is essential that my children realize the reason for the season. I feel like I do an adequate job of conveying that to them, but I do feel that because of the rushing around and busyness, we don't have much down time. I know when all my children are older and out of the baby stage, it will allow for more opportunites to serve and give back. Something that is very important to Matt and I.
I love the line when she says, "did my own mother keep this pace?" It takes me back to my childhood where Christmas was simple yet so amazing. My mom and dad made the whole month of December feel so magical and special. From my mom baking my favorite sandies every year, to going with my dad to get the tree, to the anticipation of when the Christmas specials would come on tv, it was just so much more calm. Back then, you put up your tree a week or two before Christmas. Now decorations hit the stores the day after Halloween. Back then, you had one real tree. Now, you have eight artificial trees. Back then, you gave the teachers homemade gifts. Now, you give them gift cards. Back then, you made sure you were in front of the tv when the Grinch, Frosty, or Rudolph was on. Now, you just buy the dvd or find it on one of your 500 channels. Back then, everybody said Merry Christmas and nobody was afraid. Now, people seem so afraid of offending others that they say "Have a good holiday" or they say nothing. Back then, we had gift exchanges in our classrooms followed by fun, exciting parties where no grown ups except the room mom and the teacher were there. Now, it's donuts and water and a school filled to the brim with parents.
Oh, I love our Christmas traditions. I love the things that my my mom did that I still do and I also love the new traditions that have been created in our home. I love watching my kiddoes' faces light up each day when we do our advent calendar. I love hearing the anticipation in their voices and to see them writing their lists to Santa. I love the shopping and photo taking and Christmas card preparation and endless baking and crafting and decorating. But oh my goodness, I am absolutely pooped. I used to despise January. There was this big buildup to Christmas...and then the letdown. But for the past few years, around this week in December, I find myself looking forward to a new year and a fresh start. I look forward to spending more time with Jesus and getting back to my morning devotionals. I look forward to getting back on track doing bible activities and devotionals with the kids and maybe even couples' devotionals with Matt. I look forward to getting closets, cupboards, and drawers cleaned out. I look forward to my baby turning 2 in January (not really)! I look forward to taking some sewing and/or jewelry making classes! I look forward to watching my nieces and nephews grow! I look forward to all that 2010 has to offer. Matt and I are especially looking forward to possibly having a new baby by the time the year is over. Over the past few months, I have been asking God to help prepare my body, mind, spirit, and soul to be healthy and whole so that I can bring a new little one into the world. 2009 has been a great year and I know 2010 will be even better. I just want to survive the next few weeks of craziness. But between now and then, I would just like one silent night to just reflect and be still. Maybe this was it!!
