Hello April,
This story is priceless.  Thanks for sending it.
Virgie and Hoshi
----- Original Message -----
From: "April Reisinger" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:36 PM
Subject: The "W" In Christmas


> The "W" in Christmas
>
> Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.
>
> I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
>
> endless
>
> baking, decorating, and even overspending.
>
> Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious
>
> family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
>
> My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting
>
> season
>
> for a six year old.
>
> For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."
>
> I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the
>
> production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his
>
> teacher.
>
> She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the
>
> presentation.
>
> All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
>
> Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
>
> So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,
>
> found
>
> a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw
>
> several
>
> other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the
>
> students
>
> were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat
>
> cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform
>
> their song.
>
> Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
>
> holiday
>
> as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial
>
> entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
>
> So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly
>
> taken
>
> aback by its bold title.
>
> Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy
>
> mittens,
>
> red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.
>
> Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by
>
> one, to
>
> spell out the title of the song.
>
> As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
>
> letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child
>
> holding up
>
> his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."
>
> The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
>
> small,
>
> quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -
>
> totally
>
> unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".
>
> The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's
>
> mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood
>
> tall,
>
> proudly holding her "W".
>
> Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter
>
> continued
>
> until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.
>
> A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
>
> In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we
>
> celebrated
>
> the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a
>
> purpose
>
> for our festivities.
>
> For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
>
> "C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
>
> And, I believe, He still is.
>
> Amazed in His presence...
>
> .humbled by His love.
>
> MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
>
> Again, HAVE A BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON!
>
>
>
> I'me sure we've all seen this in the past, but it is good to remember this
> little story.  *Hugs*
>
>
>
> In The SonLight of God's Love,
>
>
>
> April