All is CALM, All is Bright

After unwrapping our presents, my beloved mother helped me with a warm cup of cocoa - the CALM after the storm.
Christmas morning, 1957

"When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Silence! Be still!' Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was great CALM." (Mark 4:38 NLT)

        In the post office yesterday, I waited in a long, crowded line beside two precious little girls and their sweet mother. The four-year-old said, "Mama, let's get out of this wild, crazy place!"

         One silent, holy night, at the dawn of redeeming grace, baby Jesus came into a wild and crazy world. The Word became human and made His home among us. Full of unfailing love and faithfulness, Jesus Christ spoke CALM into chaos.

Dear Lord Jesus,

           This Christmas season, as life rages around my dear readers, please speak a heavenly CALM into their hearts, minds, and souls.

                                                           In Your sweet name I pray,

                                                                Amen and amen

It is a beauteous evening, CALM and free,

The holy time is quiet as a Nun

Breathless with adoration; the broad sun

Is sinking down in its tranquility;

The gentleness of heaven broods o'er the Sea;

Listen! the mighty Being is awake,

And doth with His eternal motion make

A sound like thunder - everlasting. 1

Silent night, Holy night

All is CALM, all is bright

Round yon virgin, mother and child

Holy infant, so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace. 2

1 Selection from IT IS A BEAUTEOUS EVENING, CALM AND FREE. William Wordsworth, 1802.

2 SILENT NIGHT. Joseph Mohr, 1818.