A Midnight Clear
Posted By AmyD. on December 11, 2008
My computer speakers are emitting the beautiful sound of Frank Sinatra singing, “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” from my perch at the desk I can barely smell the Christmas tree in the other room.
“Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!”
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
We are surrounded by a fog bank, the temps never even hitting 50 today. This morning we couldn’t see the end of the street and when the sun finally peeped out late in the afternoon it gave off an eerie, half-hearted orange haze as if it were obvious that by the time it had any real affect burning through the fog that it would be time for it to disappear into the west for another night. In the family room Ethan dozed on the couch for most of the day and I kept finding more chores to handle around the house before I could finally get to that batch of fudge that I had promised two nights ago.
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.
Our neighbor was out stringing his house with Christmas lights. He asked how Ethan was doing and Ethan happened to come to the door to show off his “war” wound. We talked about the pathology report and how great it was to have all the hard stuff over with. Then he asked if we would like him to string up our Christmas lights. You know sometimes people offer things like that and you think that they are being very nice, but there was something about the way he offered that felt so genuine and sincere I almost teared up a bit. It was just such a wonderful Christmas thing to do. Of course, I didn’t take him up on the offer, I just couldn’t. But to have him offer, not once but I think about three times, just meant so much.
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold:
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This is what Christmas is about.
How wonderful. that made me all teary eyed.
What a great neighbor.
Glad to hear there are still some *good* people out there.
I am very, very glad to hear (rather read) Ethan is doing well… I am still praying for him.
That was so sweet! Mine just stand around with a beer in their hand watching to see if someone will fall off the house.
I have to admire you for your fudge ability as well. I have tried making it many times and it’s always nasty! Some day though I will make it right.
Whatever you do, be careful with the melted chocolate…it gets really hot and can burn your fingers. I found that out last week while I was making fudge!! random acts of kindness like your neighbor’s offer is what restores my faith in the belief that most people are good hearted and mean well. Happy baking!
I love Christmas Carols and great neighbours too!
Having neighbours like that displaying such Christmas spirit are the little things that make life worthwhile, huh.
Glad you have neighbors like that. One more attempt of me trying to find your phone number
What a lovely neighbor. Wish they were all like that. It would make the world a much nicer place.
so happy Ethan is progressing and that there are still positive experiences to be had!
btw, sent you an email and it says your mailbox is full.