Several years ago when my three boys were young, we were invited to attend a presentation of a Christmas Cantata at my aunt and uncle’s church.  I was also asked to play Christmas music on the piano before and after the service, and for the offertory.  The church was about an hour and a half drive from where we lived in Massachusetts.  All the way there, whiter-than-white snow just glistened under the moon’s light, the street lights, and lights from businesses in more highly populated areas.  We experienced the ‘beauty of God’s earth’ in just getting to our destination.

When we walked into the small New England church all lit with candles, my breath was taken away!  The entire church was white – all the interior was painted white.  Even the piano was white.  It was wonderful – truly a stunning sight to see!  I can remember its influencing the way I played ‘Silent Night’, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ and other carols.  I needed them to be perfect for this amazing, stunning, warm and wonderful venue.

It was time for me to take my seat with my family – for the Cantata to begin.  I remember so very much about this wonderful evening, but am not one-hundred percent sure of even the title of the Cantata.  I think it was ‘Noel’ – just simply, ‘Noel’.  I do remember, though, that the choir was dressed in all white.  White robes!   And, I do remember that my expectations were not great for a small, (professionally) untrained choir, but once again, I found myself catching my breath.  They were befittingly robed, because they produced a sound we would think of as ‘heavenly’ – angelic sounding.  I was totally caught up in the music, the voices, the white-white-white everywhere enhanced by all the little white lights.  The whole church spoke of Jesus being ‘the light of the world’.

As the words began to penetrate my heart and mind while listening to one of the selections that repeatedly used the words, ‘He is Wonderful’ – my heart was just beating at His glorious-ness!  It was almost as if I could see Jesus standing there – in all His splendor and glory!  All of a sudden, I heard a little voice whisper in my ear, “Oh, isn’t He wonderful, Mama?”  My second son was just as caught up in the moment as I was.  I leaned down to him, and said, “Oh, yes!  He is, son.”  That evening was so profound.  I felt as if I had been lifted half-way to Heaven.  I will never forget it.  It certainly became one of my most favorite Christmas memories . . .

Scripture tells us that Jesus is ‘wonderful’.  “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”  – Isaiah 9.6   And as if Matthew 17:2,3 – John 1.14 – Philippians 2:5-7 – Hebrews 4.15 – The Revelation 1:14,15 among a plethora of other Bible verses don’t speak to His wonderful-ness, then there is no other source.  If you have never made a commitment to Christ – to love, follow and serve Him, what a wonderful time of year it would be to ask Him to take up residency in your life.

“For God so loved the world (you!) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”  – John 3.16

          May this be the happiest, most blessed and merriest Christmas you will ever have had.