Christmas Eve

A few days ago, I wrote about Joe, a 28 yr old kid that is homeless and is a few classes short of receiving his college degree.  After I wrote, Joe left our campus and said he would be fine.  Both Twila and I have been looking around for him to ensure that he was okay.  Unfortunately, we were both unable to find him.  He has been in our prayers as well as our thoughts every day.

Today, I left campus around 4 o'clock in order to get to a family service at 5.  After the service, Twila and I had a Christmas eve dinner at a local japanese restaurant and then we parted ways.  I headed to Mill Valley for the midnight service and she headed back to her field ed parish for their midnight service.

At Mill Valley, the priest preached about silence, specifically how silence can be holy.  He was referring to the words of Silent Night, Holy Night.  He felt we need to learn to live in silence.  Silence can be scary and most people ail do anything they can to fill the void of silence.  Yet as Richard, the priest said, God is silent many times and that we need to be able to live in that silence.  As the words of the song say "Silent Night Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright."

As I reflect upon my discernment so far, I realize how important silence has been.  Some of the most profound times have been in silence.  Tonight was another one of those silent moments.  As I sat in church, the lights went out and the congregation began to sing Silent Night.  I stayed silent and listened.  As I listened, the awe and mystery of Christmas washed over me and I began to cry.  There I was in a church where I only knew 2 people and yet, I was among family, my Christian family.  All celebrating the birth of a baby who would come to save us from ourselves.

That baby brings me back to Joe.  I got home from church and found Joe.  He had returned to school, I presume looking for Twila and I.  Neither of us were there so he did the only thing he could do, he put out his sleeping bag and went to bed.  I didn't want to wake him, but left a note for him telling him I was here and that if he needed anything to call me or e-mail me.  But also I was reminded that as we all prepare to celebrate Christmas with our families, there are some people that will not have people to celebrate with.  For Joe, it doesn't matter that it is Christmas Day, it's just another day.  Well personally, I don't think anyone should have to be alone on Christmas and I am hoping that he will join me for breakfast.

In the meantime, Have a Merry Christmas everyone!