Silver Bells

Over the last week I've been so busy that I haven't even had time to take a few minutes to sit down and write. It seems that's how it can sometimes get this time of year, which caused me to stop and reflect a bit over a few things.

I have many books that I enjoy reading at Christmas, but one of my favorite books is "The Polar Express". I especially love to watch the movie and listen to Tom Hanks do the voices.

As I've mentioned in an earlier blog, our pastor, has been doing a series titled "Do You Hear?" He's been focused on how we hear from God and how God speaks to us. Call me silly, but "The Polar Express" really connected with me differently this year than ever before after hearing these messages.

In the book, the little boy only wants silver bells from Santa when he travels to the North Pole. He is chosen by Santa to receive the first gift of Christmas. On his way back home on the Polar Express, he realizes that he has lost the silver bells because of a hole in his pocket. However, when he wakes up on Christmas morning, there is a small package under the tree for him....the silver bells. Mom and dad say "too bad they're broken", but he and his sister can hear them. Interestingly enough, none of his friends can hear the bells either. They don't believe anymore!

This book spoke volumes to me! Are we listening to the voice of God? Or have we lost the true spirit and meaning of Christmas? Are we able to hear the silver bells through all the hustle and the bustle? God speaks to us in ways that are sometimes beyond our understanding. Maybe we need to allow that childlike faith to come back into our hearts. If we are too busy or have lost our faith, we won't hear the still small voice of God, the true spirit of Christmas...the silver bells.