Two nights ago, we celebrated Christmas Eve. I think this may be the loveliest night of the year. The lovely carols, the lovely poinsettias, the lovely candlelight. When the church lights are slowly dimmed and the flame passes from person to person, we see both the beauty of the light and the beauty of the faces it illuminates. And all is calm, all is bright.
Faces glowing on Christmas Eve. Faces of the very young, faces of the elders. Faces of those we love, faces of strangers. Faces in whose gaze the light of Christ shines. The mystery of grace come to earth, shining in all those faces. The candles light our faces and our hearts and our very lives and hope is born once more. Lovely light, lovely night.
Our world is in such great need of healing. In such great need of light and hope. Our Christmas comes in spite of sadness, in spite of war, in spite of terror and darkness and fear. This lovely night we breathe in peace and breathe out love. We bring ourselves and those around us into the light and stand there together, just standing in the light. May this loveliness bring wholeness and light in the days to come and forever, in our world and in our hearts and souls
O come let us adore Him.
