“For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16
(NIV)

What adult can’t remember their childhood
years and being excited about Christmas morning? I recall the anticipation of waking up early to sneak an early peek at the loot
under the Christmas tree. My sister and I would try to be quiet but our
excitement got the better of us and we would wake our parents from restful
slumber so we could begin tearing off wrapping paper and ripping open boxes to
discover the contents.

When I became a parent, the roles
reversed. After staying up late on Christmas Eve to assemble toys, the last
thing I wanted to do was to drag my sleepy head out of bed in the wee hours of
morning. I just wanted to snuggle deeper into the covers and ignore my sons,
hoping they would just go away for a while so I could sleep.

I remember one Christmas when my sons
received remote control cars from Santa. I was roused early that Christmas—around
3 a.m.—with the sound of cars racing up and down the hallway outside the
bedroom door. The boys were trying to be quiet and considerate but the whirring
of the little vehicles as they bumped into walls and furniture finally made me
realize that I wasn’t going to return to a deep sleep that morning. I gave in
and got up.

Although I no longer have to rise early on
Christmas morning, I love going outside when darkness still envelops the earth
like a piece of black velvet sprinkled with glitter. Each time I open my front
door and step outside to get my early morning newspaper, I inhale the fresh air
and the quiet in anticipation of “the day that the Lord has made.”

I cannot remember which days of the year
that my morning newspaper is not published—there are very few—so that employees
can have the holiday off. Although I miss sitting down to read the news after I
read my Bible and my devotional, I miss my reason for going outside that early.
It is in the hushed moments of the morning air that I can hear God’s voice most
clearly. Even when the weather is nippy, I like to linger for a few moments and
savor that precious time when all seems right with the world.

Imagine if you will, a silent night in Bethlehem “where the
cattle are lowing and a poor baby wakes. But the little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.”

Even
though His bed is in the hay, He lies quietly, making
no sound. What was He thinking? Was He, too, enjoying His father’s company in
the early morning?

As you open your Christmas packages in
hope of receiving your heart’s desire, remember the eternal gift that our
Heavenly Father presented to the world over 2,000 years ago. It’s the only gift
with everlasting satisfaction.

Respond
to the author at carolaround@yahoo.com and check out her blog for more writing at www.carolaround.com.

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About Carol Round

I have been writing stories, poetry
and essays since I was first able to hold a pencil. Although I have been a freelance
writer for more than 25 years, I turned my passion for writing into a full-time
career after retiring in 2005 from a northeastern Oklahoma public school
system. My passion is using my writing
to inspire others.

I have written articles for national
magazines, like Western Horseman, American Profileand Mature Years. My essays have appeared in
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,”“Hometown
Heroes”and “Raging Gracefully.”

“A Matter of Faith,” my self-syndicated column,
is currently running in 12 Oklahoma newspapers and two collections of my
columns are also available in book form. Carol’s latest book, “Journaling with
Jesus: How to draw closer to God,” was just released and can be purchased at http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000522049/Journaling-with-Jesus.aspx
or at www.journalingwithjesus.com.

I always love hearing from my
readers and I especially welcome hearing about how God has worked or is working
in your life. Readers may contact me at carolaround@yahoo.com or check out
my blog at www.carolaround.com
to purchase copies of my books and read more inspirational thoughts.

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