One of my favorite times of the holiday season is the Christmas eve service. This year won’t be the same since we are doing it virtually, but I can reminisce on past times meeting at the church after dark. Bundled in our coats we make haste to get inside where it is warm. Following other goers, we’re handed a candle to light later and then we find a section of chairs for our family to sit.
The sanctuary is decked out in lights, garland and Christmas trees making the mood light as we begin singing carols about the star of wonder leading the three kings of orient to the newborn king, the son of Israel. The shepherds who keep watch over their flock were interrupted by the heavens opening with angels singing about the birth of Jesus and telling them to go find a child who lays in a manger.
The story continues as we sing away in the manger, the little Lord Jesus lays sleeping in the hay. This song always causes me to ponder what Joseph and Mary must of went through during the pregnancy of Mary, traveling to Bethlehem and the birth of their child in a stable. Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day save our sons and daughters?
Then at the end of the service we light the candles representing hope, peace, joy and love. What a great way to end Christmas eve reminding us the reason for the season. Christ our savior was born on Christmas day to save us all from Satan’s power when we were going astray. No wonder they sing, go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
It’s been a joy and pleasure to write blogs of inspiration, fun memories and short stories for you to read. This will be my thirtieth and last blog for 2020 but come 2021 there will be more.
My Christmas wish is that God will grant you peace and joy whether your home with your family, homeless in a van, away from home serving our country or caring for those in need. May God bless you with warmth and something special to make this season meaningful.
Who knows what you and I will find over the horizon but surely you and I will find Emanuel God is with us.
Merry Christmas!
Gwen
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