There are so many grand expectations for Christmas, yet sometimes it feels as if the Christmas cheer has gone missing, doesn’t it? How do you participate in the merry and glad when you’re just trying to make it through the Holidays? You wish for the normal days to hurry up and come back. Perhaps you’ve called yourself a Grinch. But you’re not, you’re probably exhausted, trying to hold it together for everyone, trying to make this a pleasant time for all the people that you feel depend on you. Perhaps you have a child sick in the hospital, or one who is easily overwhelmed by the Christmas Spirit which brings parties and music and lights. Too much. Too fast. Too loud. Friend take a deep breath, this is not what Christmas is about.

God became flesh. Born without any parties or special decorations, but rather in a manger, in the still of the night.

Christmas can happen in the silent night.

When everyone is sleeping – even if only for a little while – dim the lights, stoke a fire, breathe in the Christmas tree, and if you do not have a tree light a candle.

Breath in the stillness, the peace, the soft glow of the light. And no matter how messy or hard life has felt lately, know that in that moment you are not alone. The one we celebrate, Jesus, is waiting to meet with you.

He is Emmanuel, God with us. God meeting you in the silence. He knows your pain, your struggles, your heartaches. Let Him be a voice of peace to your weary soul. Let Him remind you that you are not alone, and when life is more than you can handle, He will carry you through.

Let his everlasting light shine in the darkness, in the places where you feel broken. Speak to Him of your hopes and your fears. Of the trials and the dreams.

This is Christmas. You and Him in the silent night.

Let Him remind you that you matter. That you are doing a good job with your kids. That your resilience and determination do not go unnoticed. That the little things you do indeed matter a big deal. That when you keep going when you feel exhausted it’s a testimony of the beautiful person that you are. The person that loves and gives out of that love. Rest in Him knowing how precious you are to Him, how proud He is of you.

So have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light. Let your troubles fall at the feet of the One we celebrate during this time. Let His peace cover you.

Sometimes a silent night turns out to be a Holy night. And that is the best Christmas of all.