Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Sleep in heavenly peace

All is calm. There's a phrase we can all relate to in this season! Nothing says calm quiet like the Christmas season. The decorations. The year end finances. The crowds to navigate. The Christmas cards, parties, unwrapped presents and endless amount of candy and junk food that derail your desire to live just a bit healthier.

Yes, nothing says calm like the Christmas season.

Or childbirth.

I remember, vividly, the birth of my first child. It was anything BUT calm. I frequently have referred to it over the years as being "in the wild." The comforts of society were smashed into pieces as the raw and real reality hit that hospital room with full force. This was no joke, and nothing could prepare me for what was about to happen. Yes, it was beautiful. Yes, my wife did all the work while I tried my best not to pass out. Yes, it confirmed my faith in God and His incredible design. But wow. Calm? I don't think so.

This season was never meant to be a chaotic mess. We've kind of screwed that up a bit, haven't we? We've complicated the picture. Distracted the focus. Moved the priorities. And in the process, we've lost the heavenly peace of the season and the silence of the night.

It's not hard to rediscover the season as it was originally experienced some 2,000 years ago. I believe we are truly wired for quiet reflection. For joy found in stillness apart from the everyday chaos all around us. It's where we are called to go with God on a regular basis. One on one time. Reflection without distraction. Solitude with our Creator.

The birth of Jesus was anything but extravagant. A simple and lowly location. Born to parents not of wealth or prosperity. A King born into peasantry. It was an extraordinary event set in ordinary circumstances that set off journeys for many from afar to witness the child that was promised. There were no parties. No jubilant and over produced celebrations. Just reflection and praise pointed towards the heavens.

This is what the Christmas season should be. It's one of the reasons "Silent Night" reflects so strongly with us every year. We yearn to find the silent in the night. The calm. The heavenly peace. 

Strive to find that in your days and evenings this week. Christmas will be so much brighter if you do.