I believe there are only more stars than there are messages, sermons, dissertations, articles and blog posts on tonight's carol, Silent Night. It has even been translated into over 130 languages. I will not, therefore, try your patience and relate the well-known history and authorship of the work.

In the household of the New England clan of the Rudii, it has been anything but a silent day. We have spent Christmas Eve and will be spending Christmas Day (through Monday) without a working septic system (our pump died). There was plenty of other last-minute chaos as well. However, through it all, God gave me the gift of a gorgeous day (~50°F in *Maine*), a wonderful winter hike with daughter prime, Elizabeth and a great Christmas Eve service with the extended family (and a not-too-shabby Christmas Eve sup).

Along with the verses, I will leave you with one item to ponder. Think back to the first time this carol really struck you. It doesn't have to be (and most likely probably is not) the first time you heard it. I'm asking you to dig deep and recall the first moment this carol really grabbed your heart, mind and soul. Remember the people, smells, tastes and colors that came with the experience. It has not survived this long due to its common, wholesale singability (I still can't hit the high notes). It isn't just a pretty tune that made it wind its way ~200 years to today.

If you do have such a moment, find some way to preserve it – write it down, record yourself talking about it, blog about it...anything. If you do not have such a moment, it may be for reasons as simple as you just don't like "traditional" music. If, however, the source is that the real reason for Christmas – which is what we celebrate in a few, short months from now – may not be something you "buy into," then I sincerely encourage you to re-evaluate your position. One song is not going to change your life. I guarantee, though, that taking this least-threatening time of year to make your way into a church to start the journey to (or back to) God will have a life-bringing impact on you.

I pray you all have a very Merry Christmas and hope you give the angels a serious challenge with your songs of praise in celebration of the birth of our King.