An Unexpected Gift

Oh, how I love the Christmas season, a time of hope, joy and peace.  The candles and tree lights shed light in the dark and give warmth in the cold.

It was the last day that the church would be decorated for the Christmas season. I knelt in the pew when I returned from Holy Communion. In front of me was the creche with a beautiful Infant Jesus.

Silent Night.  Holy Night. All is calm. All is bright.

Calm. That's how I felt. Deep peace rested in my heart. The Christmas trees twinkled with small white lights.  Red berry clusters were tucked into the branches of the Christmas tree. It was a picture I wanted to remember.

I closed my eyes and thought about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi. They were all there at the stable to worship the newborn King.

When I opened my eyes, I was drawn to the crucified Christ. How quick and abrupt a scene from the one I just was pondering about seconds earlier!

New Life

to

Death on a Cross

to

New Life again.

I was filled with such an awesome feeling of being in the presence of Holiness.  Like the figures in the creche, I was worshipping the King of Kings. What a wonderful gift to receive.

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in honour of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine