Silent Night, Holy Night...

Christmas Eve church services are always hard for me because those were very special times for me and my Papaw. Even though he has been in Heaven for 9 years, this Monday, it's still pretty hard on me. So, I'm always very emotional and have not looked forward to something that used to be so special to me. I usually try to avoid Church, especially on Christmas Eve and around Chrismtas time because it reminds me of the pain I feel because of the piece of me that is missing. Well, Mom and Dad invited us to their church for Christmas Eve service and told me to bring Gavin because it was a "Family" service. There was no nursery or kids classes. All of the kiddos were in the service. What a disaster, I thought, all of the kids in a church service...was the Pastor crazy? But I, reluctantly, accepted their invitation. Worried about how Gavin would do and how I would do...I fretted it a bit. But, to my surprise, it was nothing short of one of the most eye-opening, special, moments of my life. You see, we (my cousins and I) always had to line up on the banister (that's the staircase for you southern folk) and sing a Christmas Carol before we were allowed to open our presents...a tradition my Gram and Papaw started...and ever since I could remember, we sang and then opened presents. The last one we ALL sang together, as an entire family, was Papaw's favorite..."Silent Night." So, every time I hear "Silent Night"...I get very emotional because it reminds me of that last Christmas where everyone was together and Papaw was the happiest I have ever seen him. So, the service went on and sure enough...Silent Night started to play...well, Gavin had just crawled from HIS Papaw's lap to mine and I snuggled him as tight as I could and he snuggled back and I sang "Silent Night," with Gavin in my arms, for the first time in 9 years. I was touched. I realized what a beautiful gift GOD had given me in Gavin and for the first time in 9 years, it wasn't sad to hear the song "Silent Night." It was uplifting and I felt like I was "Home for Christmas." So, thanks to Mom and Dad for the invite! Thanks to GOD for the LOVE that shined through Gavin and into my HEART!

What's really creepy, ok not creepy, AMAZING...is that every time I got into the car to go somewhere on Christmas Day, the song Silent Night was playing. No JOKE. I know you wouldn't believe me, but I am totally serious. God works in mysterious ways!