The "W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family
moment and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for
My son was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for
a six year old.
For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production.
For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production.
Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me
there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.
All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, my son seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,
All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, my son seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,
found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room,
I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied
As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied
by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one,
rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun,
commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes
and good cheer.
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was
slightly taken aback by its bold title.
My son was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in
My son was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in
fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snow caps upon their heads.
Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one,
Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one,
to spell out the title of the song.
As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up
As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up
his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -
totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake.
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake.
But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly
holding her "W".
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued
until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we
celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos,
there was a purpose for our festivities.
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still is.
Amazed in His presence... .humbled by His love.
HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still is.
Amazed in His presence... .humbled by His love.
HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!
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