By Mary Powell

Christmas time always seems to cause people to recall experiences that were special to them. It isn’t always the most exciting experience of your life, sometimes it is a very simple, common experience that causes an emotion to well up inside. For me, my special memory is of a midnight ride on Christmas Eve many years ago, when I lived in the Flint Hills of Kansas.

That year we had snow several days before Christmas and with the cold temperatures, we would have snow for many more, it was the perfect White Christmas. To make things even better, the moon was also in or very close to being full. The only hold back on that night was the temperature which was in the single digits; but I decided it was a chance of a lifetime and I took it. It is a night I will never forget.

I headed out at ten; with the moon reflecting its light off the snow and the stars glistening in the crystal clear sky. Except for the sound of my horse stepping in the crusty snow, it seemed to truly be a silent night. But, when I stopped the horse to admire the snow lit hills, I could hear many things both near and far. In the distance I could hear an occasional vehicle on the highway that was miles from where I sat; closer I could hear an owl screech and another reply, under the snow covered ground I heard something move. Was it a mouse? It seemed to be making a lot of noise. I could hear myself and horse breathing, it was an eerie feeling.

The frigid temperatures seemed to heighten my senses and I thought back to the true reason for the season. I thought of that manger in Bethlehem and of the Christ child and a peaceful feeling overcame my heart and tears fell from my face. This night above all others, just as the angels sang, there was peace on earth.

It was well after midnight when I got home. After putting my horse and saddle away, I sat by myself in the barn, thinking. We really don’t know the true date of Christ’s birth but we celebrate it on December 25th every year. Why does Christmas Eve and Christmas Day always feel so special? Why on that night, above all the other midnight rides I have taken over the years, evoked such an emotional feeling? I may never have answers to those questions but I do know this, even if for just a fleeting moment in time, you can find peace on earth.

May your Christmas be filled with peace, joy and love.

Merry Christmas!