Christmas Eve

This Christmas will be a quiet one. As the youngest of five, I’m used to a gloriously hectic holiday and tend to crave the unquiet of tons of loved ones packed under one roof. But, this year I have the privilege of spending the day with just my husband, and our trusty dog, on this beautiful island in the middle of the Pacific.

In a most timely fashion, I just had a conversation with a beloved cousin who said, “Christmas doesn’t have to be the same to be good.” She is very wise.

On this Christmas Eve, going to our little market, I realize, yet again, what a blessing this place is. In the packed store with folks racing around to get last-minute groceries, almost everyone traded genuinely bright greetings. After all, with a population of about 3,000 people here on Lanai, you hardly encounter an unfamiliar face.

So, since this is most likely the only Christmas we won’t be surrounded by family on both sides, we’ve decided to make it count, and by that I mean relax and enjoy the wonder of the day: “Good tidings of great joy.” (Luke 2:10)

I wish you and your’s all the best; that you may encounter Christmas day and the deep meaning of it with unveiled face.  And here’s one more song to enjoy.