I sit at my writing desk with a cup of hot chocolate in hand, listening to the pouring rain outside.

Each pitter-patter of the rain on my roof brings a feeling of comfort and peace and stillness into my soul. It’s soothing to listen to. It’s a welcoming sound, too.

As I reflect on this Christmas season, on this night of December 23rd, two days before Christmas, when all the shopping and baking and hurry is pretty much over with and done, I feel that feeling of comfort, of stillness, of peace. And I know Who it comes from and I know why it’s here. And I welcome it.

I don’t always understand the ways of God. I don’t understand why 11 days before Christmas, a group of elementary-school children were shot and killed mercilessly. I don’t understand all that loss, all that grief, all those questions of why. But I can feel a peace come over me again.

And even in all my questions and in all my why’s, I can celebrate this season knowing that God loved all of us to send His Son so that we can find stillness and peace and comfort. I may not understand everything about God but I do understand that one truth.  He is still among us. He is still reaching out for us. And He still loves us, too.

And tonight, as I sit at my writing desk and take in the sound of the rain and the taste of hot chocolate on my lips, I smile and thank God for the little bit of peace and stillness that I am finding tonight. And I thank Him for the peace I am finding, too.

For unto us a Son is given, unto us a child is born. God’s greatest gift comes. Will you welcome Him? For He is here to bring you and I peace. And love. And stillness.

Even when we don’t understand the why’s, God is still walking among us. And He brings us stillness and peace and comfort even in times of great sorrow.

This is what I am reflecting on these last two days before Christmas. I welcome you to reflect on this, too.

Merry Christmas, friends!