I know it's after the fact,

but this is just too lovingly precious not to share.

I received this from Keary

Hayes, a dear Christian friend from seminary days.

"Each December, I vowed

to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential

obligations such as extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating

and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to

appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning

of Christmas.

"My son, Nicholas, was

in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a 6-year-old.

For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's winter pageant.

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production.

"Unwilling to miss his

shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a

dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to

attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed

happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed

in 10 minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down.

"Around the room, I saw

several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited,

the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their

teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one,

rose to perform their song.

"Because the public school

system had long stopped referring to the holiday as 'Christmas,' I didn't

expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer,

Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to

sing, 'Christmas Love,' I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

"Nicholas was aglow, as

were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters and

bright snow caps upon their heads. Those in the front row center stage

held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing 'C is for Christmas,' a child would hold up the

letter C. Then, 'H is for Happy,' and on and on, until each child holding

up his portion had presented the complete message, 'Christmas Love.'

"The performance was going

smoothly, until suddenly we noticed her a small, quiet girl in the front

row holding the letter 'M' upside down totally unaware her letter 'M'

appeared as a 'W.' The audience of first through sixth graders snickered

at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at

her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her 'W.'

"Although many teachers

tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter

was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience

and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we

were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even

in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last

letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: 'CHRIST WAS LOVE.'

"And, I believe, He still

is."

The Rev. Dr. Knox Herndon is

the pastor of His House Community Church (SBC) and a substitute school

teacher in the Fayette County School System, and a former Army chaplain.

The church is currently meeting in the American Legion Log Cabin across

from the fountain on the Square in Fayetteville, but will move to a new

location near Senoia.

The church is hoping to have

a dedication and covered dish homecoming service in the new facility Sunday,

Jan. 28. Prayer line 770-719-2365; e-mail [email protected].