Reflecting on "Christmas Moments"

For those that celebrate Christmas, there's something extremely special at this time of year when people around the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. As we all know it's a time to gather with family & friends, exchange presents, indulge in tasty beverages and food, and attend church services. Sometimes we wish for something special to sprinkle upon our lives when "faith and hope" are intertwined with the Christmas season.

As you reflect back on your moments of Christmas, is there something that really touched you in a profound way? Christmas can be lonely too, for those that have no family,  no friends, no money, to spend on food or gifts. Then there are those that are sick at home or in the hospital and aren't in the mood to celebrate Christmas. Each person has a different experience with Christmas but with "faith and hope" a miracle can happen. If you've ever seen the film "Miracle on 34th Street" there's a famous line in the film that stands out. "FAITH IS BELIEVING IN THINGS WHEN COMMON SENSE TELL YOU NOT TO."

My experience of precious Christmas moments occurred in a small town named "Frankenmuth" in the state of Michigan. Frankenmuth is known as "Little Bavaria, Germany,"and at Christmas time the whole place glows with the beauty of Christmas. There's a lighted Christmas tree in the center of town with Christmas carols playing all day and night, skaters love the outdoor ice skating rink near the river, and taking a break for a cup of hot cocoa and beignets. Idyllic shops are decorated to the fullest, and they each resemble a Bavarian style home. Looking for cuckoo clocks, hand -made pretzels, shoes, chocolates, wool socks, cheese and meat, scarves and gloves? It's all in Frankenmuth. Visitors also head to the Bavarian Inn or Zehnder's, two popular restaurants the size of football fields. The interior of these establishments is breath-taking and the food is so good that it's often an hour wait for a table. Visitors can walk the sidewalks of quaint Frankenmuth and bask in the Christmas magic or take a festive carriage ride with bells jingling as the horses trot along the streets covered in white snow.

However the best part about Frankenmuth is the "Silent Night,t" chapel just one mile away from the bustling Main Street. This lovely chapel is the exact replica of the chapel in Obendorf, Austria, Europe where the carol "Silent Night" was composed and performed for the first time on December 24, 1818. In the darkness, the "Silent Night" chapel shines like stars in heaven. "Silent Night" is played 24 hours a day, in different languages, but mostly in English and German. There's a heart-warming Nativity scene at the front of the chapel and when one goes inside the chapel there's a feeling of "faith and hope." My precious "Christmas Moment" occurred when my friend James pointed to a painted angel on the wall of the chapel. "See, I told you that where there's an angel there's hope, and today we see the angel brightly shining upon us we know just how important the meaning of Christmas truly is." Tears rolled down my eyes as I gazed at that angel and listened to the beautiful voices singing "Silent Night" and knowing that the LORD is with us whether it's Christmas or not.

HOPING you all had a joyful Christmas filled with kindness and love. May your NEW YEAR be filled with "faith, good health, hope, love, and peace."