This past week I attended the annual pastor’s Christmas party for our district.  It is always good to see old friends again and meet some new ones.  We lit Advent candles of Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love.  Persons were invited to share a story if they felt led, about an experience of one of these.  The candle of “Peace” was lit and my heart leaped up to the microphone before my mind could argue about whether or not I should be telling a story in the midst of all these other great pastors!  I probably would have talked myself out of it.  The words came spilling out as I remembered in my mind’s eye…

It was just before Christmas.  I received a phone call from Jane’s family, “Could you possibly visit Jane in the nursing home?  The nurses say she is extremely agitated and they cannot seem to comfort her.”  Jane had Alzheimers and did not appear to recognize anyone anymore.

I arrived at the nursing home to witness an array of jingle bells and Santa hats.  Carolers were singing in the main dining area as residents were gathered around in their wheelchairs.  A happy noise filled the place, until I walked into Jane’s room.  There was a troubling disturbance present as Jane’s body and mind wrestled about on the bed.  Although she did not appear to be aware of my visit, when I asked if she would like Holy Communion, she nodded, “Yes”.  

I said a simple prayer, “Lord be with us”, and carefully placed a tiny crumb of the broken bread upon her lips.  “Jesus loves you Jane”, I whispered softly close to her ear.  In that holy moment, that holy meal of transformation brought the reality of the gift of the Christ Child.  A wonderful peace came over Jane’s body.  Indeed, Peace arrived all around the room in a breathtaking stillness.

Then Jane began to speak, in a quiet continual flow, these words…”Loves me….loves me……loves me……..loves me……..” I kissed her on the forehead and left with the echo of those words in my ears, and in my heart.

“Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child.  Holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.” (Words by Joseph Mohr, 1918)

nk

Pondering…

When have you experienced the peace of God?

May there be for you my friend, a holy moment of PEACE this Christmas.