Starlight. Candle-bright.

Starlight.  Candle-bright.  Evening comes in quiet echoes of times gone by.

Gathered around the table we share our memories of other Christmases.

Loved ones whose faces are missing from our gatherings.  Perhaps for merely days or months, perhaps for many, many years.  Each one remembered fondly, tears glistening in our eyes for a minute and then quickly brushed away.

Starlight. Candle-bright.  Expectation for the day ahead.  Excitement around the tree.  One gift and one gift only to be opened on this night before Christmas.  Which one shall it be?  A small one just to satisfy the child in you.  And leave the rest for the festive celebration tomorrow.

Starlight. Candle-bright.  Put on the jacket to guard against the cool wind blowing from the west.  Walking down into the field and looking up to see twinkling lights above.  How was it on that first Christmas Eve?  Shepherds watching.  Angels appearing.  Glory shouted from the heavens.  But now, here we stand hushed and still, waiting, waiting, waiting....

In the starlight with candles bright shining through the windows.  

Peace.  Peace on earth to men everywhere.  That is what we are waiting for.