Some happy things happened today:

1. My daughter and I played a duet together before church, as part of the preservice music. The sight of her head bopping next to me, the thrill and pride on her face when we were done. It was too much.

2. My son, in his little red plaid tie, catching sight of me from his view on-stage…the humungous smile that lit up his face when he found me in the crowd.

3. My son, in his little red plaid tie, with his finger up his nose no less than four separate times while singing Away in the Manger with all his might.

4. Waking up in a small puddle of drool. My afternoon cat nap was just that good.

5. The wind in my hair as I stood through a friend’s sunroof, camera on the roof of his car, capturing the sight of our school’s 17,000 Christmas lights on video.

Sometimes I forget that Christmas is supposed to be fun, a season of gratitude and praise. Since Jesus came to earth to take away my biggest problems, I really can relax. I can give thanks. I can praise, for blessings both great and small.

Sometimes I drag Christmas around with me like a huge burden. All I seem to think about is my busy schedule, my to-do list, all the expectations. I was talking to a fellow mom about this at school the other day, about how Christmas is just plain crazy sometimes. And she just stopped the conversation with this statement, “It’s not supposed to be like this. Christmas is not supposed to be like this.”

Christmas is a season for joy, no matter what we are going through, no matter what is on our plate. I think of Anna and Simeon, who despite their long lives of service and waiting, had praise on their lips when they caught sight of Jesus in the temple. I think of the shepherds who dropped everything to run to the manger and then told everyone they could. I think of the Wise Men who journeyed far to kneel before Jesus, to present them with not only gifts, but praise and worship. I think of Mary treasuring it all up in her heart, marveling over the wonder of it all.

Where is that in my life? Where’s the praise? Where’s the gratitude?

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalm 103:2). 

I’ve noticed that a funny thing seems to happen when I practice gratitude…there’s more gratitude. The same happens with praise. When I pick out one tiny light, I see another and another and another. The more I see, the less room there is for the dark things like worry and greed and doubt. Things begin to change in my heart, and suddenly, I realize that I am surrounded by thousands of lights: big ones like grace and forgiveness, tiny ones like duets and drool-inducing naps. So many, many lights, all coming from one source, one Light, one merciful God.

Jesus is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. 

Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening, and the day is almost over. 

Be our light and scatter the darkness, and hear our evening hymn of praise. 

(Service of Light, Christian Worship Hymnal)