Christmas eve pause

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I was recently asked about my favorite holiday. It has to be Christmas eve. Yes. Christmas eve. The time for planning, preparing, shopping, going and doing... is done. There's just that pause. It may be a peaceful sitting by Christmas tree light. All is calm. All is bright. And time stands still. Tomorrow is coming with all its happiness - but for now - there's only these moments of sighing and breathing. Rest. And perhaps a first real chance to feel the impact of the Savior's birth. The long time promise from an unseen God - now seen in tangible form! Joy to the world! The long-expected Jesus!

On Christmas eve the baking smells still linger in the house. The lights on the tree still sparkle. Silent Night from the church service still humming through my mind. A cup of hot cocoa as I curl up on the couch with grandma's quilt (and a cat or two). Appreciating the beauty of this Christmas eve. It is here and it is now.

I've spent a good portion of my life in the getting, going, planning, prepping phase. But as I sit here in this Christmas eve pause, I would like to embrace it much more often. I'd like to end each day with a sigh, a breath and to remember, to feel, the impact of the Savior born for me.

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn, O weary one.
What a thrill of hope!

But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over. (Luke 2:19 NIRV)