The "W" in Christmas

We all get funny, sometimes serious e-mails from friends and most of us have seen the same ones over and over again.

Today, I received a new e-mail from my friend Maryanne, which I just had to post, because it was beautiful, I had never seen it before and is very timely....especially during the stress we all tend to put on ourselves at this time of year.

If you have seen this before, enjoy it again....If you haven't seen it before, I hope you remember it!!!



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 moments, and of course, the
true meaning of Christmas.


My son, Nicholas, 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."


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
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 slightly taken
aback by its bold title.


Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy
mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. 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 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 --
totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W." 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 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 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.


May each of you have a Merry Christmas as you reflect on His Amazing Love for us...


Have a blessed day! Happy Birthday Jesus !!!!!!!!