The Child's Glow

In the Glow of a Candle

The 12 Days of Christmas

It was a very special moment in the Christmas Eve Service. Silent Night, Candles and a time of peace… and then I caught the glimpse of my granddaughter in candlelight.  She was absolutely mesmerized; her eyes followed the light everywhere. In the glow, I caught sight of the Christ Child.  Now, I knew for a fact that this was not Christ himself.  After all, the carol does say, “Little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes!” And that is most definitely not her.

I am talking about a different image.  In the same way that a new mother greets a newborn with the glow of a miracle, the Child herself radiates that love back.  That’s what happened Christmas Eve—that greater Love “in light uncreated” radiated from her.

(Annie Dillard) 

“On the first day of Christmas, God’s true Love came to me,

The glow of our granddaughter, God’s Child for us to see.”