Silent Night, Holy Night. . .

There have been several silent, holy nights in my life, but the one that stands out the most was back in 1985.  I had not seen or talked with my mother for nine years.  (That story coming later)  On this still, silent night, I was a young married woman of 4 years.  My husband was working late at a store and I was in our apartment this early evening dusting my bedroom dresser.  I had not been thinking of my mother at all.  All of a sudden there was that still, small, unmistakable voice that said to me, “It’s time to call your mother.”  Without hesitation, I went to the telephone, picked it up and called her.  I don’t remember how I knew the number after 9 years, but I did.  I said I was ready to see her.

            This night was a holy one to me because 1.  I heard His voice 2.  I immediately obeyed after not wanting to see her all that time.  3.  I knew the number somehow.  4.  The presence of God was all over the place and became one of the most beautiful evenings of my life.  She and I talked, played the piano and sang together for hours.  Forgiveness was never mentioned, reconciliation was never mentioned, but both had happened.  No talk of the past came up. . .it wasn’t needed.  We were moving forward that night.  It was a silent, holy night outside and in.  Miracles were taking place.  My mother and I had been given a second chance.  There could have been bitterness, anger, resentment, unforgiveness, but there was none of that.  God had taken care of it all.  The perfect reconciliation had taken place.  Yes, indeed it was a holy night!

            I will be eternally grateful to that holy infant so tender and mild, who grew up to willingly take on the cruel death, so we all could be redeemed if we so choose to take the gift; for gaining victory over death; for always watching over us, choreographing situations to happen in His timing; for looking down on a child who needed her mother and a mother who needed her child and finally said, “It is time!”

            Sleep in heavenly peace?  Before this reconciliation, I ground my teeth so hard my jaws would stick and sometimes not open for half a day.  This went on every night for 9 years.  Afterwards, my jaw never stuck again.  Yes, I was now sleeping in heavenly peace.

            Thank you Father, for the Christ Child, for mothers, and for those silent, holy nights.