I realize that not everyone celebrates Christmas, but I wish the best for all of you during this holiday season. In the midst of all of the hype and activity surrounding this overly commercialized day, I hope that you can rediscover its simple message of joy and hope.
On Christmas Day, I can’t help but think of the final verse of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” which reaffirms that hope: “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep. God is not dead nor doth he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.”
The first photo below shows my almost completed cross stitch project Festive Cardinal designed by Max Pigeon of Pigeon Coop Designs. The second photo shows the inside of my church, St. Martin de Porres Episcopal Church, during the afternoon of Christmas Eve, when we were practicing the music for the evening service. I tear up a little remembering the congregation in the darkened sanctuary singing Silent Night by candlelight at the Christmas Eve service last night—it is always one of the highlights of Christmas for me.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 