The spicy aroma of Christmas cookies baking, feathery snowflakes falling outside in the gathering twilight, candles are burning next to me and quiet Christmas music is playing. To me, this is perfection in winter. I love all the seasons of the year for their different reasons, but there is something so wonderful about the quietness of winter.
Though there are often more parties, events and errands to attend to at Christmas than at any other time of the year, the peace of winter lies all around us. Animals curl up and sleep away the cold months, the songbirds grow quiet, all of nature hushes as the silent snow covers. It is a reminder to grow still…to listen to silence.
One of my favorite winter memories was while walking alone on a quiet, snowy night. The only sounds were the little puffs of dry snow my feet made as I walked…pouf, pouf, pouf. Even the wind barely stirred the soft snowflakes as they landed gently on my cold cheeks.
I paused for a moment and looked around me. No one else was out on that cold night. No animal nor human stirred. I reflected on the calm and the peace and quiet of it all. It was beautiful and sacred. I whispered “Silent night, holy night, all is calm…” and felt the magic of the Christmas spirit wash over me. I felt cleansed, refreshed and full of a warm and peaceful love. I swear I could hear the hushed echoes of angel voices join me in the “well-known refrain.”
Yes, listen to the silence. For it is often in the silence when the sweetest moments of life come. When peace pervades our being as we hear a faint song from the heavens reminding of us our real home.
Merry Christmas my dear friends! Peace to one and all!
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men…”
Wallflower Blossoming 