Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the Christmas season. Some may argue that Christmas day should be greater because we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. But do we really? It’s usually so cluttered with opening presents, preparing an elaborate meal, and welcoming visitors that we often put Jesus on hold. He waits silently in the background for us to greet Him; but that’s not the way a King should be honored.

Jesus didn’t appear with all the glitz expected from royalty. He certainly didn’t have an entourage to escort Him to the throne. He came humbly and quietly, wrapped in scraps of cloth. He was a Gift of love born to peasant parents chosen by a powerful God. As the miracle unfolds, so does the gift He brings. Joy fills the air and everyone stops what they are doing to bow before the newborn King.

In Luke 2:4-20 the Christmas story is told and retold each year. It’s a message of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. It’s a message that invites us to witness His rebirth – our rebirth once again. Jesus is born anew within each one of us if we don’t send Him away. Are you like the Inn Keeper who didn’t have a place for Him? Do you have room to let Him in – a place to reside?

For some people making themselves vulnerable is very uncomfortable. But in order to have room, we must make room in our hearts. We need to tear down the walls brick by sinful brick so that love can penetrate. We must also take a step in faith. We must be able to love unconditionally, serve sacrificially and give Him access to our lives completely. Then and only then will He be able to find a place that’s fit for a King.

Christmas Eve is the day that I can relax, anticipate, and rejoice in the miracle that is about to take place. Don and I go to midnight mass but before we leave for church, we light the luminaries that outline our home. The candles representing, “We are ready for you Lord, we invite You into our home and into our hearts.”

Once there, our church family greets us and we celebrate Holy Communion together. After hearing the message of Joy we sing Christmas carols and close with the lighting of the candles starting with the Christ candle in the center of the advent wreath. As we sing, “Silent Night” one by one the candles in the sanctuary light until each person becomes a light in the darkness. The stillness in the air is like no other as we leave the church in silence; filled with peace. Christ our Savior is born!

Written by the Holy Spirit through Brenda Bates – December 2005

Personal Message from Brenda & Don:
From our home to yours, Don and I wish you hope, peace, love, and joy not only during this Christmas season but everyday of the year. May you be the light in the darkness and may you allow yourself to be vulnerable so that Jesus can be reborn in you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from InHisPath.

www.InHisPath.com
www.BrendaBates.com/holidaymessages.html

Scripture:
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
~Luke 2:4-20