Love’s pure light … it’s the Spirit of Christmas

“Silent night, Holy night! All is calm, all is bright …”
I knew it was close to Christmas when I grabbed the TV’s remote control and tried to send my older daughter a text message.
“Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild.”
I’m looking after my granddaughters at our house while their mom is working. “What time are you coming home?” I texted (finally on the correct apparatus) my daughter. Much to do … why are there so many obligations at Christmas, I wonder.
“Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.”
Not exactly a lamb resting at the manger, just my dog, Puddin’, needing another dose of medication in his 10-year-old eyes. Now a week post-surgery, his chronic glaucoma under control for the time being. I speculate that owning a thoroughbred racehorse would be more low maintenance than my blind lhasa apso.
“Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight.”
“Mimi, can I help you decorate some more?” queries 6-year-old Gracie carrying an armful of soft snowmen she’s retrieved from the opened Christmas boxes. “Mimi! Can we watch Christmas movies now?” calls 4-year-old Emily from the other room.
“Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia …”
Outside a silver car slips down the driveway. Two little heads bobbing in the back seat. Here to visit is my younger daughter with my two grandsons in tow. Three-year-old Charlie rings the doorbell, setting off a cacophony of barking in the bedroom where the canine patient rests out of harm’s way. Charlie, grin stretching wide across his cherub’s face, here to entice his “Poppy” to set up the Christmas train.
“Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born …”
Noise level grows exponentially throughout the house as four little ones play in childish abandon … discovering material intended for protecting fragile ornaments, used now for stomping loud bubble wrap “POPS,” delighting 17-month-old Cal, his peals of laughter ringing out in joy. Cal speeding through the house, coming nose-to-nose with the grinning, bald Santa stationed in the family room. A gift from my husband many years ago, Santa wears pajamas and bedroom slippers, doubtlessly weary after a frosty night in his sleigh, delivering gifts to little girls and boys. Both arms hugging Santa, Cal’s dark curls bouncing as he bonds with his new, soundless friend.
“Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light.”
Along with my daughter, I survey an hour of precious Christmas cheer, young cousins running and ducking, dancing and singing, boxes of Christmas decorations spilling forth onto the carpet, the tables, the dining room buffet. Wow, what a MESS! “Mimi, where does THIS go?” Charlie cries, arms full of pillowy Santas and reindeer, snowmen and angels, the best kind of decoration for little hands to hold.
Charlie and Cal’s mommy scooping up the boys, bundling them into the car for the quick ride home and then dinner. Shortly, Gracie and Emily’s mommy on our doorstep, fresh from the tasks of teaching her fourth-graders about the wonders of our world.
“Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace …”
Hugs for both of her girls, a reunion duplicated each afternoon when Mommy comes home. Reports of everyone’s day, describing Gracie’s helpfulness in setting up the buffet with Christmas moose and polar bears. Emily, big girl that she is, displaying how she placed reindeer on the red Christmas table cloth, then remembers suddenly the snack forgotten in her backpack, unable to wait another moment before consuming the granola bar, tummy satisfied for the short ride home.
Rescuing my dog from the bedroom, collapsing amongst sparkling decorations waiting to be hung on the tree, flanked by tissue paper and bubble wrap and half-finished Christmas cards, reflecting on the countless items left on my Master Christmas List.
Oh, but no matter, because the greatest gift of Christmas, besides the first Miracle of His birth? It’s right here, right now, where it’s resided all along. The delight, the joy, the “love’s pure light” shining forth from the eyes of our little ones at Christmas.
“Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.”
Merry Christmas, everyone!