Christmas Eve

 Christmas Eve

 

Christmas Eve has a feel is unlike any other night.

The angel’s words ring out: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy.”

The shepherds, ordinary workers on the lower rung of society, are the first to hear the Good News.

God chooses them—not kings or priests—to receive the exciting news  – God’s own son is born this night.

This tells us something profound: the gift of Christ is for everyone, perhaps especially for those who feel overlooked and forgotten to remind them that God is with them and for them.

The Savior of the world comes not in a palace, but in a stable.

Not clothed in royal robes, but wrapped in swaddling cloths.

Not laid in a golden cradle, but in a manger – a feeding trough to remind us that we will feed on Jesus’ body and blood for our salvation.

God’s glory is revealed in humbleness.

This is both the scandal and beauty of Christmas: the Almighty chooses vulnerability, entering our world as a fragile child.

Emmanuel—God with us—means God is not distant, but close, sharing our human condition.

The angels sing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.”

Christmas is not just about nostalgia or tradition; it is about God’s peace filling our world – filling our lives.

The birth of Christ brings peace where there is conflict, joy where there is sorrow, hope where there is despair.

The shepherds respond by going “with haste” to Bethlehem.

They don’t delay.

The world they live in need the news now.

The world we live in today needs the Good News now.

They share the good news that they have been privileged to hear.

You to have been privileged to hear the Good News of God’s love for you.

Their joy becomes contagious.

They can’t keep it to themselves.

Christmas is pure grace and love from God.

Like the shepherds, we simply receive so we can share.

The shepherds told everyone what they had seen.

We too are called to bear witness—to let Christ’s light shine through our words and actions.

God is with us—in our families, our struggles, our celebrations.

Christmas reminds us we are never alone.

So as candles flicker and our voices rise to sing carols, we remember: the child in the manger is the Savior of the world.

He comes to bring peace, joy, hope and love.

May we, like Mary, treasure these things in our hearts.

May we, like the shepherds, go out rejoicing, telling others that God’s love has come near.

As we gather with family and friends, let us take a moment to remember those who are alone, those who are grieving, or those who are struggling.

Christmas invites us to reach beyond ourselves – as God did, to extend our hearts and hands to those in need – as God did.

How can we be the angels of our time, bringing hope and joy to the corners of our world that feel dark and barren?

As we leave this place tonight and step into the celebration of Christmas Day, let us carry that light with us.

Let us be instruments of hope, peace joy and love, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with a world that is eagerly longing for hope.