By: Olivia Tuttle, Hume New England Registrar
Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright.
While camp might not be completely silent these December days—with the last guest retreats wrapping up and Winter Camp preparation in full swing—there is still a sense of peace and quietness that accompanies the Advent season. As I reflect on this season at Hume, I am reminded of the shepherds in the fields the night of Christ’s birth. Faithfully tending their flocks and likely anticipating the break of dawn, they were stunned first by an angel of the Lord and then by a multitude of heavenly hosts illuminating the night sky.
My prayer is that, as we faithfully tend to our programs, facilities, guests, and staff, we also take time to reflect on the gift of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection, while eagerly anticipating the joyous reunion of His return. Camp is about to grow much louder here at Hume! As we finish our “silent night” of preparation, we eagerly step into the bright and lively days of serving guests and campers.
This fall, during a particularly loud lunchtime, a woman attending a women’s retreat came into my office. Her group was sharing the dining hall with two large youth groups, and she began to say, “The dining hall is so loud today!” My mind immediately raced to solutions—should I ask the youth group to quiet down? But then she continued, “Isn’t it amazing to think this is how heaven will be someday? So full of Christians, of all ages and languages, gathered for a loud and crowded feast?” Her words stopped me in my tracks. How often do we view noise as chaos instead of worship?
As you experience moments of silence—and no doubt some loud chaos—this Christmas season, celebrate both as opportunities to reflect on Christ’s birth. From the quiet swaddling of a newborn in a manger to a multitude of heavenly hosts declaring, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” His birth is a profound celebration of His love for us.
As you pray for Hume this season, pray for rest and reflection as we prepare, and for energy to join the heavenly hosts in joyful service during winter camp. May we, like the shepherds, go and tell everyone what we have seen and know!
Olivia Tuttle works at Hume New England as the Registrar and Guest Group Coordinator. Olivia and her husband Jake (The Hume New England Program Director) have a heart for camp ministry and love living out east, especially hiking and biking in the Berkshire hills.
