Got this in an email today. Usually I roll my eyes at the forwards but I quite liked this one.




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."

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,

Nicholas 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 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.