The Face of the Child

There is an old song entitled "It's Starting to look a lot like Christmas."  It is true.  It not only looks like Christmas, but it feels like Christmas in my heart.  It is a strange experience.  The powerful moment of worship which is always a part of Christmas Eve has not come yet.  It is still something which awaits us.  Some things have not yet been done.  The Christmas story about the birth of Jesus has not been read midst the people of God.  "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Joy to the World" are still out there in the darkness waiting for the Light of the Christ child to shine upon them.  

It has not been my privilege to be leading a congregation of people through this season; yet, it has been such a long time since I have known my own heart being warmed by the spiritual power in which I seem to be immersed.  Perhaps, it has had to do with the way the church I am attending has been faithful to the Advent message through song and word.  Themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love have stood like sentinels opening gates to joyous celebration and thoughtful reflection.  Or, perhaps, it has been getting involved once again in acts of giving and reaching out to those with whom I share a special bond of love and the caring for new friends who have come my way during the course of the months since last December.  

More than anything it seems my heart has been made more aware of the incredible gift of life and grace.  Life and grace are God's gifts given by God's hands and heart.  They are given not just to a few of us, but to all of us.  While my experience is like the experience of many as I say that some hard moments have been visited upon me, I join the many around me who live with a deep sense of gratitude.  Maybe one of the real gifts of Christmas is seeing the face of the child of Bethlehem and seeing with gratitude the grace of God.