Another kind of Christmas peace

Much is made of peace and quiet of the Christian kind at Christmas and I treasure that peace as much as anyone but I realized today that there is another peace or quiet time that I also really appreciate. I had eleven people around my dining room table for dinner today.  I warned them they would be crowded and advised everyone to sit beside someone they like. After the prayer the usual bustle ensued - the passing of all the trays and bowls of food and piling plates full while talking of this and that.  Then suddenly it all gets very quiet.  People are too busy eating, and evidently enjoying the food, to talk. I love that moment of quiet because it means my meal is a success.