The Candle of Adoration

This was the best so far.  As we lit this candle, we discussed my very favorite part of the Christmas story.  The angels in the heavens, singing to the poor shepherds below.  Since I was a little girl, memorizing Luke 2 for Sunday School programs, this is the part of the story that has thrilled me.  After we sang "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and talked a moment about the candles from the weeks before, I had Grayson close his eyes.  I know this kid well, and I know his imagination is much like mine.  He closed his eyes, and scrunched up his forehead as I began...

"Grayson, imagine you are in the middle of a field, in the blackest of nights. You're huddled close to the fire in your shepherd's robe.  All your sheep lie around you, and you know them all by name.  Your dogs are pacing around the outskirts of your camp, watching and protecting you and the sheep.  Your brother sits near you, playing on a small harp while you both sing a song to pass the time. (at this point he was smiling a dreamy sort of smile).

All of a sudden, out of nowhere, a huge, shining man in armor is filling the sky with light, and speaking directly to YOU!  He says, 'FEAR NOT! (here Grayson's mouth dropped open) I bring you the most wonderful news ever heard!  Tonight in the tiny town of Bethlehem, a Savior is born!  It's Christ, the Lord!  And YOU may go to Him.  You will find Him in a barn, lying in the manger where the cattle feed.'

Then, before you can ask a question, or even think, the WHOLE SKY IS FULL OF ANGELS!  They are singing a song like you've never heard.  You hear the words, 'Glory to God in the highest!  And on earth, peace and good will toward men!' "

At this point, he just couldn't stand it anymore.  He jumped up and described to me in full detail how he ran through the streets, searching for the stable.  And when he found the baby Jesus, he sang him a song, because he just loved Him so much.  "That's just what adoration means." I told him, and we prayed and thanked our Father for sending the baby that night.

Comments

[Debbie]

Wow, I was right there imagining with Grayson. It must've indeed been an incredible sight and experience. I look forward to the day when we will be able to see similar such sights with the host of heaven!!

[BarbaraCompton]

Takes me back to the times when we turned out all the lights and read Christmas stories by the light of the tree and candles when you were little! You would each get to pick a Christmas story from one of our books to read. It meant so much to me that even when you and Andy had left home, you still wanted to come over on Christmas Eve and have me read Luke 2 by candle light. New bike, $100, new shoes, $25, memories like these, priceless!

[foolery]

I just got back. I was running through the streets looking for the stable, when I remembered I wasn't in Bethlehem, I'm not a shepherd, and I forgot my drum. Plus, I was barefoot.

Grayson has a wonderful imagination in part because you nurture it. You are a wonderful mother, Miss Jessie. Thanks for the Christmas imagery.

[arizaphale]

Yet another beautiful and atmospheric post Jessie. Your boys are so lucky to have you bringing Christmas to life for them like that. Blessings