A Christmas Insight . . .

Last night I had a decadent meal at the Grand America with an "intimate" group of my dearest friends. I wasn't going to go actually, I was having some lingering issues from the weekend and weeks prior to "the concerts", and thought it'd be best if I just crawled into bed with some Advil PM, Excedrin PM, and/or Tylenol PM and let them take me on a journey into the world of uninterrupted sleep.

But...at the last minute I decided to find something to wear and head to the Grand. And I am so happy I did.

Sometimes I forget what a privilege, honor, and blessing it is to be part of an organization that bases it's success on how many people are able to see and/or hear a performance. The success is not in the money, nor the number of times a recording hits the #1 spot on the Billboard charts (although that's always nice....). No, the success is in the number of people who go away from a broadcast, or concert, or special event feeling more joy, more peace, and closer to their God.

An added blessing of attending this event was seeing and visiting with the friends I've made in this organization...past and present...and being able to sit by the dearest of all.

But as I drove home, I thought about this Christmas season. It has been a rather difficult one for me...and I couldn't put my finger on it until I started thinking about the evening. I was in a room with so many friends who are eager to share their talents and testimony through music, willingly and without recompense. Last night I was reminded of how blessed I really am to be where I am, doing what I'm doing.

Before last night I had lost focus of the TRUE meaning of Christmas. The story behind all the songs we perform. The reason we rehearse and perform and do it all over again each week. I lost focus of the infant born in the most humble of circumstances. The infant who grew in stature and wisdom. The infant who willingly shared his life for us.

For me.

Today I am so grateful I had a long drive last night. I would have missed the whole purpose of this season. And that is more sad than not being home with Mom and Dad this Christmas. The thing is, it doesn't matter where we are, or what our circumstances are, KNOWING why we celebrate Christmas is far more important than how or where we celebrate it.

So to my one or two friends and family who will read this, Merry Christmas! May this season find you filled with more joy and peace, and closer to that babe born in Bethlehem so many years ago. May you and I remember this season all year long.