It Happened At Night

Last night was a special one for me and my family. A great way to start our celebration of Christmas, that I couldn’t have planned myself. And here is how it went down.…

We went to Jordan Family Church for a sweet, simple Christmas service. Then, I wanted to go home to watch a movie…The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Jeff and the kids hesitated at the idea and started making fun of me (as usual) because I have a pretty bad habit of falling asleep every time we sit down to watch a movie together. I begged and pleaded, and came up with all the reasons I wouldn’t fall asleep this time. And finally, we came up with an agreement…a bet. If I fell asleep, I would have to walk through the woods to Jeff’s deer stand (located on the backside of our property) that night in the dark BY MYSELF.

For those that know me, this is a really risky bet. And my family knew it, and they were so excited! I think they looked at it as a win-win. I’d either stay awake for a movie, or conquer a fear and walk through the woods at night by myself. And I think they were rooting for the second win, as they got me all cozy, made sure all the lights were off, and snuggled in next to me on the couch. They even stalled to try to start the movie as late as possible. Well guess what?! I DIDN‘T FALL ASLEEP! Christmas miracle #1!

So, what we did next was what I decided we would do if I won the bet. This was inspired by my dear friend Laura Kraus who talked about the beauty of winter outside while it's dark earlier that day. We ALL bundled up and took a walk through the woods to the backside of our property last night. No flashlight, no headlamp, just Jeff leading and us following. It was a beautiful night and we got to the field with no whining, bickering or anyone pushing anyone. And, we didn’t hear any coyotes! Christmas miracle #2!

Then, as we got out to the field and I was about to take Jeff and the kids’ picture, I looked up and saw a shooting star. Almost instantly! I took that as a sign from God, letting me know he was present. Christmas miracle #3!

After some pictures and marveling over the shooting star and the beautiful night sky, we all just hung out in this field. Jeff stood. And the kids and I sat. At moments we laid. Landon ate snow, buried his battery operated candle in the snow pretending it was a fire, and Lily was jabbering away while Leah sang Christmas songs at the top of her lungs. We hung out in this field for awhile, enjoying each other's company and the beauty of the night. At one point we got talking about the shepherds of the field on Christmas Eve and what it must have been like for them on that night, and we even joined Leah’s singing and sang Silent Night together.

This time together wasn’t planned, wasn’t anything we’d ever done together. It wasn’t anything I’d imagined or aspired to do on the darkest, longest day of December. It may even sound a bit cheesy. Or, definitely out of the ordinary. Yet, it may now be one of my most favorite memories and a new family tradition at Christmas time! 

I share all of this for a few reasons. One, I know that there are many of you out there who, like us, Christmas is going to look or feel a little (or a lot) different this year. I’m praying that this would encourage you that although different or new might be hard or uncertain, it can lead to something sweet. And, it often happens in the simple or ordinary. Not through striving or trying to mimic something someone else is doing.   

Two, I’m going to quote and piggyback on some of what my dear friend Laura Kraus preached about at church yesterday morning. Four words stood out to me and they were  “IT HAPPENED AT NIGHT.” Jesus was born AT NIGHT. The angel appeared to the shepherds AT NIGHT. The shepherd’s journey was AT NIGHT. The Christmas Story took place AT NIGHT. And as Laura said, “God intentionally proclaimed the Good News at night!”

You see, so often night falls and anxiety rises. Or, fear takes over. It is often at night, that our thoughts race or our mind wanders. During end-of-life care, we often see people struggling the most at night. Why is that? Because the enemy thinks nighttime and darkness is his playground! BUT, here is the good news… Day AND night belong to God! Light AND darkness come from God! And, without the night time or the darkness, we can’t experience light. Think about it. Christmas lights are most beautiful when it's dark. The stars and the moon, most admirable and visible at night. Our experience in the field last night, wouldn't have been the same nor nearly as memorable during the day or in the light. 

So, if you find yourself in a dark place or a dark season, pray that you’d experience HIS LIGHT. Or maybe fear, anxiety, sleeplessness is something you battle at night. Be encouraged that God is just as present, if not more, in the darkness or at night, as he is in the daytime or in the light! 

Last, if you haven’t seen the movie The Best Christmas Pageant Ever I’d like to encourage you to do so. It’s funny. It’s real. It’s sweet. And, it beautifully depicts the true meaning of Christmas. As Beth’s mom said to her one night “Don’t forget. The whole point of the story is that Jesus was born for the Herdmans just as much as he was for us.”

Jesus came for everyone. He was and still is a gift for all… to be unveiled, or revealed, and experienced.