This Silent Night

Christmas was just around the corner and all the busy shopping days were finally over. As Kessey laid on her bed reading she began to feel strangely odd as if something warm and wonderful was beckoning her. The urgency grew so strong she closed her book, went to the living room window and stared up at the Heavens. “So beautiful.” she whispered softly as not to wake a single glistening star.

Her parents were fast asleep, exhausted from all the preparations and gift buying all day. Kessey was blest with parents that not only loved her but loved God. She was familiar with the birth of Christ, taught to her by her family and at Sunday school, especially at Christmas time. She looked at the snow-covered ground and wondered if Jesus was born in the summer or winter. "If it was winter," Kessey thought out loud, "how terribly cold He must have been!" As she watched the snow lightly fall she began to notice a bright light in the distance. She wiped the moisture away from the glass and saw a figure approaching until, after a long while, she realized it was St. Nicholas! Dressed in his red winter coat, heavy boots and his long white beard, he walked steadily toward her house then stopped before a very small pine tree just to the right of her window. The light he carried in the palm of his hand began to glow even brighter as he cast it upon the upper branches. Kessey watched in amazement as each spark of light fell gracefully down floating from one limb to another. She wondered why, with all the pine trees out there, he chose to decorate this little one?

St. Nicholas stepped back and watched the little tree sparkle so brightly, it lit up her yard. He smiled, nodded his head in approval and walked away into the haze of snow until Kessey could no longer see him. As silently as he came, he had gone. Kessey rushed to her room to get her shoes and a heavy coat to put on and ran outside. She just had to touch those lights to find out what they were made of! Being very cautious, she bent down and curiously examined one of the tiny sparkles. Her face shone from the light of it, and she wondered what would happen if it was disturbed. When she carefully touched one, the tiny glow stuck to her finger then began to melt, spreading across her hand. She tried to brush it off but it continued until it covered her from head to toe. Kessey had never felt such warmth on her skin and peace in her heart. She pulled off her coat and let it drop to the ground. Now she knew what the baby Jesus felt like when He was born. Warm all over. It did not matter if He was born in the winter or summer; He was born and He was full of peace; The same peace she felt from the Light that engulfed her. Kessey realized this was her gift from Jesus just for this one night, and in this Light was a story He wanted to show her. A story that no one else knew about. It began to play out before her eyes as she saw Jesus lying in his bed of hay and cloth. When Mary had fallen asleep, Joseph left to buy some food at the Inn. Silently, the Father appeared beside the manger. He lifted Jesus and held Him close thinking about how short His years on earth would be and the enormous task that lay ahead of Him. After long moments of watching Him, He whispered, “I love you, Jesus. . .Happy Birthday.” He kissed His Son's face then laid Him down and disappeared as Joseph returned to wake Mary, coaxing her to eat. The scene faded from Kessey’s sight in this silent night.

Kessey picked up her coat, opened the front door and turned to see her beautiful tree one last time then looked up at the Heavens and whispered, “I love you, Jesus. . .Happy Birthday."

© Copyright Cheryl Taul
August 31, 2009


"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son. . ."  Mt 3:17

 

2. Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

3. Silent night, holy night,
Here at last, healing light,
From the heavenly kingdom sent,
Abundant grace for our intent.
Jesus, salvation for all.
Jesus, salvation for all.

4. Silent night, holy night,
Sleeps the world in peace tonight.
God sends his Son to earth below,
A Child from whom all blessings flow.
Jesus embraces mankind.
Jesus embraces mankind.

5. Silent night, holy night,
Mindful of mankind's plight,
The Lord in Heav'n on high decreed,
From earthly woes we would be freed.
Jesus, God's promise for peace.
Jesus, God's promise for peace.

6. Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born.
Christ the Savior is born.