Happy Monday, friends! Can you believe that Christmas is just a little over a week away? We've been so busy here at MBP, preparing for the holidays, and then I have been uber busy with my family and church, prepping for Christmas, as well. There have been so many holiday posts (hopefully, you've been checking out our Holiday Gift Guide), rehearsals, special worship services, holiday gigs for my husband, Christmas programs to prep for, cookies to bake, shopping to do, wrapping to do, decorations to hang, and I am just exhausted. Did I mention that trying to wrap gifts while sitting on the floor (while pregnant) is nearly impossible?

I was listening to K-Love radio online while I worked last week, and heard a song I've heard many times before, but this time, I slowed down to pay closer attention to the words:

I've made the same mistake before

Too many malls, too many stores

December traffic, Christmas rush

It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying

To photograph Santa and sleigh

The shopping and buying and standing forever in line

What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night

To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise

I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here

To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears

Faster and faster every year

Did my own mother keep this pace

Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow

Watching three channels on their TV

Look at us now rushing around

Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night

To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise

I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here

To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem

With peace on earth, good will toward men?

Every shepherd's out in the field

Keeping watch over their clock by night

And the glory of the Lord shone around them

And they were so afraid

And the angels said fear not for behold

I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people

For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord

And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night

To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise

I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here

To end this crazy day with a silent night

To end this crazy day with a silent night

This song is I Need a Silent Night by Amy Grant, and I couldn't believe how much I could relate to it this Christmas. Every week leading up to Christmas Eve seems to get busier and busier, and before I know it, I am involved in so many things, that I can't even see straight anymore. Christmas isn't supposed to be stressful... it shouldn't put financial strain on a family. It used to be about Jesus, and today more than ever, it just feels like it's about us.

This Christmas, my family and I not only participated in Operation Christmas Child, where we packed a shoebox, we also adopted an angel from the Angel Tree through our church. It's important to me that my son understands how important it is for us to give at Christmastime, and at other times, as well. It brought so much joy to the two of us, as we shopped for toys, games, and clothing for a child in our own community. I know the child will be blessed by our anonymous gift. I want my son to grow up to have a compassionate heart, and know the joy of giving... we do an awful lot of receiving.

I hope that you can find some peace and joy this Christmas, and that in all of the rushing around, you find your silent night to reflect on the reason for the season.