The "W" in Christmas
>
>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...
