Jeana’s Journal

On Christmas Eve a few years ago I found myself driving alone on a country road just as night was coming on. I was driving on a two-lane road about thirty miles from home. It was a beautiful, silent night. Since it was Christmas Eve, I traveled truly alone with no other cars on the road.

The moon was nearly full and the stars shone brilliantly allowing me to see all around in the soft light. A few wispy clouds drifted like a veil through the sky between me and the moon and stars. With only the countryside for company I noticed pastures with herds of sheep contentedly huddled together. I also saw fields where horses and cows grazed peacefully side by side in the moonlight. In the distance the steadfast and majestic mountains were capped with snow giving them the appearance of a benevolent watchman keeping watch over the valley where I traveled. The beauty and peace I felt in that night as I drove toward home is indescribable.

Adding even more grace to the moment was beautiful music from Jim Brickman’s Christmas album entitled “Peace,” playing on the car stereo. In particular I remember listening closely to the words of the song, “Do You Hear What I Hear”. His version of that classic Christmas song is the most beautiful I have ever heard and since that night it has become my favorite Christmas carol.

My thoughts were on the season and how during this one time of year the best of our natures surface in our thoughts and our deeds toward others. How grand it is that in the big scheme of things a power from on high reminds us once each year of His gift. We reciprocate His gift by remembering our friends and neighbors, those we love, and even some people we will never meet, by giving them gifts. He truly does bring us goodness and light.