This evening I attended our parish carol service
and it was such a privilege to be there.

After we all sang Silent Night
I glanced up at the altar
and spied a miniature Mary and Joseph
kneeling and smiling shyly
on the altar steps.

In that instant
I was filled with a conviction
that these tiny children
were teaching me a vital lesson –
that Christmas is a time
for love, understanding,
peace and goodwill.

Troubles that had had been disturbing me
for some weeks
suddenly seemed trivial,
frivolous.
I felt a weight lift off my shoulders
and I experienced the welcome sense of coming home
after spending some time in a dark place
that had been alien to me.

The Holy Spirit proclaimed
the true message of Christmas
through the Primary One children
of Ballymacward Primary School
and I’m convinced that
in that grace-filled moment
heaven and earth met.

© Claire Murray