Last year, on Dec. 21, 2009, I wrote an article entitled: “Two perceptions, two realities“, which could have easily been written again this year, because it told of a very difficult trip on snow-filled roads, something that happened again this year in even bigger proportions, on almost the exact same date! As we drove back home from Switzerland, after being away from home for more than two weeks, we got stuck for many hours on the highway, but it refreshed me to go back and read again the words of reflection that I wrote last year …

“After being away for almost three weeks, visiting friends … , we are finally back home, after driving a whole day through highways and mountains filled with snow. We are tired, but happy to have it made it safely home…” CLICK HERE to read the rest!

I must confess that this year, the day before we left for our trip, I was again very frustrated because of the huge amount of snow falling and hindering our plans… I had some urgent and important messages to send out, but I could not find an internet connection, so I was stumbling around in the snow looking for it, when suddenly I heard the voice of the Lord clearly speaking to my heart and urging me to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN!

(Words From Jesus): “STOP this feverish running around! Let go of your plans and enjoy My creation! LOOK at the beauty of the snow, covering the dirt and sins of mankind with My loving mercy (Isaiah 1:18), and LISTEN to the voice of My Spirit inviting you to slow down and take time to cherish the beauties and wonders of this white Christmas!”

Suddenly my whole perception was changed! The snow was not seen as an hindrance any longer, but as a blessing from Heaven, and I understood what the Lord wanted from me … Later I was able to sit quietly in the Lord’s presence and write the following …

(Words From Jesus): “Among the many voices that are screaming out to get your attention this Christmas, remember to stop and listen to what the voice of My Spirit is saying to you. My Spirit is calling out to the whole world with the real meaning of Christmas, and there are many of My children who are broadcasting it to the multitudes, but there’s a special one that I want to give through you, and that’s to STOP all this frenetic running around, thinking that you have to celebrate Christmas in a certain way or you will have missed it! The truth is … you will miss it if you don’t stop!

You heard Me right! Stop the frenetic running around of all your Christmas preparations, and be still … In the quietness and stillness of the night you will hear My voice speaking to you in a tailor made fashion, and you will be carried to a far away land, in a far away time, where there was silent that night …

“Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

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 “

Stop running around, leave all that Christmas busy-ness behind, and come to Me … close your eyes and sit at My feet quietly, contemplating the radiant beams from My holy face, as I lay there in the clothes of an infant so tender and mild, in a little manger outside of the little town of Bethlehem. It’s a silent night, and there’s silence all around … can you hear it? Can you hear the silence of the night? It’s in the stillness of that silence that My presence will be manifested unto you and will fill your heart with My joy to the overflowing …

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

If you really want to celebrate My birthday this year, please stop all your feverish activities, and let your heart prepare and make room for Me … how do you “make room” for Me? By de-cluttering your life from all the busy-ness of Christmas and making room for silence in My presence … As you take time for Me and listen to the “Silent Night”, you will be carried into harmony with the fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, that repeat the sounding joy, the “Joy to the World” that My birth has brought!”

Merry Christmas to you all!

Renato and Patrizia Amato