Christmas Peace…No Matter What!

By Audrey Carli

I sat alone in the silent kitchen sipping chilled orange juice—and I gazed at the five vacant chairs around the table. Memories splashed scenes of my husband and four children talking and laughing with me. Suddenly, I prayed that Christmas could be cheerful again now that my husband had passed away and the children were at college or new careers.

Finishing the juice and walking to the living room, I paused to sniff and admire the shimmering tree. The silence thickened although sounds from the past filled my thoughts. Memories echoed with our children’s eager voices, happy laughter and my husband’s deep voice. “I love Christmas. I wish we could have been at the first one!”

“So do I!” echoed four younger voices.

Running my fingers over the piano keys, “Silent Night,” then “Joy to the World” and other carols played through my mind echoes of our family’s past.

As a smile rippled through the dark curtain around my heart, illuminating it with nostalgic gladness, I looked at the special tree ornaments. Debbie at age five had given us the tiny white crib holding Baby Jesus as her blue eyes shined with joy. Glenn’s stiff, red paper ornament hung on a branch exuding memories of his kindergarten project. I smiled thinking of his eager expression when he had given it to us. Lynn at age eight had beamed when she had surprised us with a gleaming silver ball. Lori, at five, had presented a crystal star ornament to us.

“It’s like the star that shined in the sky when Jesus was born in Bethlehem!” she said, beaming.

The past melted into the present as I sat and read the Christmas card notes from our children: “I love you, Mom.” “I’m praying for your happiness and peace, Mom.” “I’ll be home soon!” “I’ll phone you Saturday.”

I smiled at each word from their hearts, melting the last shred of gloominess that had threatened my day.

Finally, I stood and entered the bright kitchen and saw that the yeast dough had risen. Soon the entire house held the fragrance of warm rolls and cinnamon coffeecake.

I mixed gingerbread men cookie shapes and rolled them out before their spicy aroma enhanced the holiday atmosphere.

As the day melted into evening, cheerfulness had filled the house and the silence chimed with recorded carols.

I sat near the shimmering tree and soaked in the peace.

At dawn the next morning, I sensed God’s nearness during my prayer time.

In the following days, He was with me in His Word, hymns, literature and at worship.

It was apparent. He will never leave or forsake me as promised in Hebrews 13:5b. Yes, the past, present and future are wrapped in peace because Jesus was born! Then He died to prepare us for tomorrows that will never end!

Audrey Carli writes from Iron River, Michigan.