Christmas. The Spirit and the Season.

A dear friend of mine remembers getting into the family car with his mother and brothers on Christmas eve, long after the tree lots had closed for the night - and for the year, for that matter, and sneaking across the fence into an abandoned field filled with few derelict trees. This little group of Christmas eve vagabonds would find the best available pine, stuff it into their car and take it home to decorate - just before the magical clock struck twelve - ringing in the new Christmas day.

I'd like to think that all of us feel the blessings and the sadness - as strange as that may sound - of another Christmastime. There are so many who go without, but I believe there are equally as many who go without so that an other tables may have plenty on the day when all should rejoice.

And while poverty has many, many faces, the face it shows at Christmastime is often more pronounced than when the leaves of summer are in full bloom. I've watched the struggle this year as the pressure mounts for those who feel hopelessly compelled to provide for their families. I've also witnessed the sweetness of the response by those, who feel an equal amount of pressure to serve those in need.

I'd also like to think I'm not naive enough to believe that the poverty we see in our little valley is equal to the level of want, or what it takes to keep children alive, safe and warm in other countries that are less than a few hours flight from our homes - homes that are warmed and with pantries that are full. Because, it is not. But there are still children in Provo, Utah that are cold and hungry. And there are just as many here who long for the security and joy that Christmastime promises to bring.

To me, the beauty of this Christmas season is witnessing a sea of humanity reaching out - as best they can to one another. A few weeks ago, I was overwhelmed by the amount of shoppers I witnessed at our local Target department store. I was overwhelmed not by the hustle and bustle of the average mom and dad frantically searching for that wanted toy, but overcome by the sheer number of people searching for gifts for children whom they would never see or know or meet.

Around each corner, I would overhear groups of people with generic shopping lists purchasing gifts for children who were merely identified as "girl, ten years," or "boy, seven." The amount of shoppers with similar lists was staggering.

As I left Target that night, I left with a hope for a brighter day and a more beautiful Christmas. And for me, that was really the best gift of all.

Here's to days that are getting longer.

The older I get, the more I find myself counting down the days until the equinox that occurs on or about December 21st every year. It's at that time, I am told, that the days stop getting shorter and daylight starts to increase. (It has something to do with the earth's rotation and all that jazz, but who needs to know the details!)

This is true, of course, if you happen to live north of the equator. If you live south of that magical line around the globe, your days are starting to shorten. If you live close to the line, you couldn't care less, because you're never troubled by the shortening or lengthening of days - yours are always the same.

I don't know why it's such a big deal for me, but believe me, it is. While I don't really want to spend any summers in Alaska, I still treasure as much sunlight as is possible. And now that days are beginning - albeit ever so slightly - to get longer, I'm a happy, happy camper.

Carol of Joy.

(Editor's Note: This Christmas season has been so wildly different in the music we listen to and sing as we celebrate. We've found ourselves drawn closer and closer to the music and lyrics that help us spiritually celebrate the advent of the Lord's birth. And on that note, we've posted the lyrics to a relatively new Christmas song that we've come to love.)

Carol of Joy

Green leaves all fallen, withered and dry;

Brief sunset fading, dim winter sky.
Lengthening shadows,
Dark closing in...

Then, through the stillness, carols begin!

Oh fallen world, to you is the song.
Death holds you fast and night tarries long.

Jesus is born, your curse to destroy!
Sweet to your ears, a carol of Joy!

Pale moon ascending, solemn and slow;
Cold barren hillside, shrouded in snow;
Deep, empty valley veiled by the night;
Hear angel music-hopeful and bright!

Oh fearful world, to you is the song-
Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong!
Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound-

A carol of joy! A Saviour is found!

Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
Thrill to the chorus filling the skies!
Look up sad hearted-witness God's love!
Join in the carol swelling above!

Oh friendless world, to you is the song!
All Heaven's joy to you may belong!
You who are lonely, laden, forlorn-
Oh fallen world!
Oh friendless world!

To you, a savior is born

To listen to a recorded version, click here.