silent morning

it is christmas, and for these brief, early moments, there is silence.

i have been in calgary/airdrie now for four days. four days filled with lots of family, and all the things that come with a growing extended family. there has been much laughter throughout it all...and given that at our core we are, indeed, half french, when we are all together, there is little that resembles peace and quiet.

in about four and a half hours, my parent's home will once again be filled with all of us: my brothers, sisters in law, nieces, nephews...most likely all still on a Santa-induced high, but ready to dive into phase two. there will be much chaos as we live out our memories of christmas 2007. and it will be good.

but for now, sitting here in the silence, enjoying it all the more with the knowledge that it will soon be over, my heart is filled with gratitude and love for the little baby who made not only the day, but my life what it is today.

no gift under any tree this morning can change the life and heart of mankind the way the original gift did, and my heart is filled with gratefulness and grace.

welcome to our world, Baby Jesus. welcome to our world.