Beyond Common Sense

I’m sure you recognize those words taken from the most popular Christmas carol world-wide.  I won’t bore you with statistics, but the above statement is a fact not just my opinion.

As we draw near to this most special night of the year, can we claim these four adjectives and use them to describe our Christmas celebrations?

Though we may not know the circumstances which inspired Joseph Mohr to pen the words of “Silent Night,” these words can be an inspiration to us 100 years later and make this special season more of what it should be.

Silent—Be sure to take some quiet moments to share with your heavenly Father.  Talk to Him. Thank Him for His unspeakable gift—the gift of His only Son—the Champion of our faith who has the power to silence every terror of our souls.

Holy—Please, please, dear child of God, be certain to keep this day holy! The world crowds in on every side screaming at us to reduce this treasured “holy day” to a godless frenzy. Keep it holy.  Keep Christ in Christmas

Calm—Ah! Just speaking the word seems to shatter the chaos. All is calm. That may take some effort, but once again, make it part of your holiday.  You may have to wait until the kids are all in bed or before the household awakens but take make some time to drink the Living Waters of the Word and allow it to calm your soul!  Your calm will spill out into the lives of others, creating a peace in the midst of holiday madness!

Bright—I wonder if Joseph Mohr looked out across the snow-covered trees and rooftops of his 17^th-century village, all bathed in the splendor of a billion stars and was overcome with the beauty of starlit snowflakes? All is bright—more than the physical brightness, let the glorious Light that illuminates your soul shine forth.  If Jesus is in your heart, let Him out! Shine! Shine brightly so that others will see the way to…

• A silent—quiet spirit
• A holy—blood-washed soul
• A calm—peace that passes all understanding
• A bright—heavenly destiny!