Christmas Eve

Little girls in sparkly dresses, boys being told to take off their hats, moms and dads looking tired, grandparents looking proud – that is Christmas Eve. The music plays, familiar melodies that stir memories of Christmases past, and take our imaginations back decades, even centuries to Christians humming these tunes in other places and others times – that is Christmas Eve. Lights twinkle and candles flicker as the organ sounds the chords for Silent Night Holy Night – that is Christmas Eve.

I am writing this between our first two services we have one at 5:00 and repeat it at 7:00. These services are attended by families and there is lots of noise as the children fuss and fidget. Then another service at 10:00 that draws those who prefer a quieter more orderly reflective worship time. Each service has its own charm and each calls in the joy and delight of the Christmas angels!

I was just talking with my team-mate Kevin and we commented, as we do every year, that many of the people who come on Christmas Eve are people we do not know, or only recognize because they come each year on Christmas Eve. How wonderful that coming to church is part of the family tradition. They may not attend at any other time and, I would hazard a guess that some aren’t even sure why they come but, here they are, each year, listening again to the story of shepherds and wise men, of angels and stars and wondering how this story can fit into their life. It is a beautiful tale of mystery and surprise, of villains and heroes, or fear and comfort, of loneliness and companionship. It is a story for the ages and for any age.

I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to, once again this year, tell the story of God’s love, a love that broke barriers and challenged understanding and changed the world. Hallelujah! Merry Christmas.