At 12 years old, I was thoroughly enjoying Christmas break.

Emerging onto our front porch, I paused to take in the sight — glowing streetlamps cast a soft halo at each corner as heavy flakes swirled down from the dark sky. Enclosed by this gentle storm, my neighborhood reminded me of a shaken snow globe, but the scene before me was real and more beautiful than any snow globe.

Soon, my friends joined me in romping the sidewalks, our shouts muffled by the cloak of winter. Suddenly, I noticed movement across the street.

My great-uncle had slipped out of his house and was slowly clearing the walk, pausing often to look about. The beauty of the night had called to him, too.

Watching him gave me an idea.

“Let’s go Christmas caroling,” I suggested to my friends.

We decided on several songs that most of us knew and, naturally, Uncle Lloyd would be the first recipient of our youthful enthusiasm.

We shyly made our way toward him, tentatively lifting our voices. Turning at the sound, he stopped to lean on the handle of his shovel. We had his full attention. Encouraged, we raised our voices with enthusiasm as he joined us in singing “Jingle Bells.”

Next, we launched into “Silent Night” and, almost imperceptibly, the mood shifted. Suddenly, it felt like we were engulfed in a holy moment, pregnant with meaning, promise, and significance. Glancing at Uncle Lloyd, I saw tears making their way down his weathered cheeks and dropping on his jacket front.

One of my friends whispered, “Look, he’s crying!” I jabbed her with my elbow and kept singing.

How could she not realize that this was a special moment – tender and private?

As the carol ended, the entire group stood hushed and motionless, not willing to break the mood. Then, Uncle Lloyd reached into his pocket to remove his wallet and offer us money.

“No, no,” I told him. “We don’t want any money. We just wanted to sing for you. Have a merry Christmas!”

Feeling awkward and overwhelmed with emotion, I led the group toward my house.

“Why didn’t you take the money?” someone asked in disappointment.

I wasn’t sure how to answer. Singing for money had never crossed my mind. How could you accept money for something so priceless?

“Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light, radiant beams from Thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth! Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!”

God’s light was shining upon me in that holy moment, awakening my heart and creating a yearning for Him, but it wasn’t until a decade later that I came to know Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.

Since then, I’ve learned that God foretold Jesus’ coming 700 years before his birth, through the Prophet Isaiah: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son and will call Him Immanuel.” (7:14)

The Old Testament portion of the Bible contains over 300 prophecies pointing to Jesus, all fulfilled through His life, death and resurrection, but there was a 400-year period of silence between its end and Jesus’ birth. It was into this time of spiritual barrenness that God had appointed Jesus to be born. At that specific time, in a specific place, a specific person would be born, and that person was the Lord Jesus Christ.

God in flesh appearing — Immanuel — God with us. It was the most momentous and important event in the history of mankind!

Though the night of Christ’s birth would have seemed to be a night like any other night, I imagine that heaven was bursting with joy over the wonder of this Holy Event.

Significantly, God chose humble shepherds protecting their sheep as the first recipients of the Good News of the birth of Christ — the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world.

As heaven’s celebration spilled over, the sky was filled with a great company of angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14)

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given and the government will be on His shoulder and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6)

Just as the prophets foretold, the Light of the World has come. A Gift has been given for each one of us. As with all gifts, this glorious Gift must be received by the recipient.

Michelle Smith serves alongside her husband, Gary, as part of the leadership team of New Life Christian Fellowship. She founded Purely Women Ministries with the purpose of helping women of all ages discover their true identity as women of God. A fifth generation Alpena native, she counts it a privilege to live in northern Michigan and enjoys flower gardening, canoeing, rustic camping and all things outdoors. She can be reached at church@newlifealpena.org.