Wine & Words

Back when Thanksgiving weekend ushered in the holiday "shopping season" I compared it to the feeling of driving along the Niagara river approaching the falls. The surge and rush of heading toward a precipitous climax. But I didn't tell you about Niagara Falls in winter on a really cold night.

When all is frozen, the hurried water slows and quiets, running under a thick mantle of ice. The spray freezes on the surrounding trees as feathery rime ice. The colored lights reflect on the ice, a winter wonderland. All is quiet and peaceful.

That's the way I think about Christmas Eve. It's the peaceful time that rewards the preparations. When I was a kid, our church always had a candlelight Christmas Eve service. We sang carols and heard the Christmas story from the gospel of Luke. On the last song, the church lights were put out and the flame was passed from candle to candle throughout the sanctuary. Just before the benediction and the singing of Silent Night, the minister asked us to preserve the silent peace as we went back to our homes. It was a break in the excitement that kids and parents alike feel about the Christmas tree, the presents, the feasting, the visits from relatives. For a few minutes, in the dark, cold night, we hushed. And felt the peace of Christmas.

This is our wish to all of you, from Chef Yvonne and me, from Sharion and Samantha and Mary. May the peace of Christmas fill your hearts tonight. And the goodies of Christmas fill your lives tomorrow.