The night was crisp and clear. Between two very cloudy days, the Lord blessed us with a cool and beautiful Christmas Day–and night. I stood in an apartment complex looking up at the night sky. Between two towering apartment buildings against the velvet of deep purple sky, hung a full moon, radiating its calm, bright light. It was wonderful to behold.

After enjoying one another’s company, exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve and punching in a full day’s work of teaching, we had taken the opportunity to take the Christmas spirit a little farther–downtown–to a neighbor family. We sang Silent Night, Hark the Herold Angels Sing, Joy to the World and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The familiar strains rang among the buildings, radiating (much like the moon) both joy and peace. When the last song was finished the family came out to greet us with warm hugs and words of appreciation.

In making the night a special night for someone else, it become just as meaningful for us and the ancient carols reached their target once again, this time in a home on the others side of the world from my own.