O Holy Night

Dear Reader:

I’ve been writing this column for a long time now.  Our family thinks of it as a blessing. So do many of you. Some of you have been reading it along with the rest of us every Christmas Eve, for years. But there is one thing to understand.

It has never been the same column every year. It is new each time.

From year to year there are some minor changes, although the general form remains the same: it comes from the petitions of the Holy Greek Orthodox Liturgy. I do not reprint or cut and paste, but I write every word fresh so that the words are always green in my heart and spirit.

Most times columns can take hours, even days. This one originally took about 30 minutes. I know I had help. I could feel it, like an angel on my shoulder.

 Some years ago, the managing editor at the paper—a former Roman Catholic altar boy—wondered aloud that it sounded like a prayer. I smiled and said yes, it sounds that way to me, too.  

JK

For all the people who are hurting and broken. For those who feed the poor.

And for all the children who should be loved always, but especially on this night, with our arms wrapped around them and a long goodnight kiss on the temple, a kiss more precious than anything that could ever be wrapped in a box.

Kyrie Eliason, Kyrie Eliason, Kyrie Eliason.

For every parent standing quietly in the darkened doorways of the bedrooms—or remembering how they stood there once many years past–watching those small, sleeping shapes tucked in under the covers.

For every baby who isn’t loved enough and grows up with a hard crust around his heart because there was no one near to plant those kisses and give those hugs.

And for every couple who can’t have children and adopt a child to save a life.

For all the young women who have given their baby up for adoption, to save the life growing inside her. For all those who’ve donated funds so that the young women could see the ultrasound image of the life inside of them and save that life. For couples who tried, and couldn’t have children of their own but kept their faith in God and stayed together. For those who’ve lost their children. For all who’ve lost their moms and dads.

For the moms and dads who keep their family close and safe.