Christmas is

upon us and it never ceases to amaze me how we (me included) often totally

miss the main message. 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. 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 six-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

adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps 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 1st through 6th 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 pastor of His House Community Church (SBC). The Rev.

Greg Mausz is senior associate pastor. The Rev. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the

Sunday School superintendent, Bible study coordinator and teacher. The

church is just below Fayetteville, on Ga. Highway 85, a mile south of

Ga. Highway 16, just below the fire station. Visitors welcome. Church

office and prayer line 770-719-2365; e-mail [email protected]. The church's

new Web site is www.hishousecommunitychurch.com.

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