Setting the Scene
Fall On Your Knees. The phrase Fall on your knees is from O Holy Night. This phrase is used to express counting your blessings for the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
My mother was a religious person. Precisely, my mother was more spiritual than religious in many ways. I always felt my mother was close to God. At times, one could feel the presence of other spiritual beings when you were around her. Definitely, in my mother’s last days and hours, the faith of those around her was strengthened by her faith and actions. My mother believed in Fall on Your Knees, for her it was not a once in a while occurrence. Fall on Your Knees was a daily practice for my mother. Even when my mother could no longer bend down on her knees to pray next to her bed every morning and every evening, she was spiritually praising God.
My mother’s consciousness, conscientiousness, and selflessness allowed her to see beyond the financial aspects of life. Accordingly, my mother was able to focus on deep relationships with people. Accordingly, my mother’s rich life was the joy of engaging family, friends, and total strangers.
Love Affair With Music
My father was not an emotional man. At least, not outwardly. My father found it difficult to express his emotions in words, but he expressed them through his actions. I am a lot like my father. I do not consider myself an emotional person. In some ways, my father could best express himself through music.
My father played the violin as a child. On the other hand, my mother played the piano. My parents had a mutual love affair with classical music and indulged in old school concerts. I’m talking a love affair with the likes of The Three Tenors, Kiri Te Kanawa of New Zealand, Yo-Yo Ma, and Brat Pack era legends.
My parents loved to watch the classic concerts on PBS. Christmastime was filled with a multitude of festivities and a few songs particularly stood out. At the top of the favorite list for my parents was O Holy Night.
Lacking Comprehension of O Holy Night (Christmas Song)
For most of my life, I could not comprehend the song O Holy Night / Cantique de Noël. Sure, on its face, I comprehended that O Holy Night, revealed the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, but I lacked the emotion behind it. I was certainly aware, like Linus, in A Charlie Brown Christmas, what the true meaning of Christmas was in terms of knowledge.
However, as a child, I was struggling to place myself in the manager scene. To that end, I did not see myself as the shepherd boy, Mary, Joseph, or one of the Three Wise Men.
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!
Fall on Your Knees Moments
Admittedly, every day should be a day to count your blessings. I constantly need to remind myself of my blessings. However, every once in a while, I have a “Fall on your knees” moment, filled with such a high level of emotion joy, relief, grief, gratitude and love all wrapped into one. In some ways, its like Paul being struck to the ground.
Jesus came in visions to the woman who became St. Faustina as a messenger of God’s loving mercy. God’s said to St. Faustina, “Whenever you want to make me happy, tell the world about My great and unfathomable mercy.” God, gave St. Faustina the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Fall on Your Knees moments have been life changing for me. The world has such clarity when I am gifted and cognizant all my past, present, and future blessings. Financial Independence (FI) is a passion of mine, but my priceless blessings most often do not involve money. If you have ever lost someone who is precious to you, you know what I am talking about.
My Fall on Your Knees moments have often occurred at Christmas Eve Mass. Christmas Eve is a great time to head to mass. I hope you and yours experience the true meaning of Christmas and a Fall on Your Knees moment. Merry Christmas!
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