“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

The morning sun breaks through faded sky; its brightness outlining the trees that stand, lonely and silent; silent and still…but with hope, pointing heavenward, and whispering in the wind: come, let us adore Him.

The withered leaves that have not fallen still hold on, though life seems gone. They rustle silently in the bitter cold, but do not fall; for they wait, and say: come, let us adore Him.