Christmas Eve

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:8-14 ESV). While I am writing this Morning Devotional a few days before Christmas Eve, I anticipate being with all of our children and grandchildren by Christmas Eve. The plan is for everyone to gather in Texas. Most of them are already there, so really it is just a matter of Mary and I, along with Aaron, to travel to be with the others. It’s always a little strange to be geographically separated from them. We talk and Face Time, but somehow it’s not quite the same as being there. So much happens in between the conversations that we miss so much. That thought brings me to today’s reading. A New Yorker cartoon showed a husband standing in the kitchen, reading a note from his wife. The note said: “While you were out I won the lottery, shed 40 pounds, wrote a novel, and the kids and I moved to a villa in the south of France. Dinner’s in the fridge.” I wonder sometimes about being “out” when the important stuff happens. You’ve had this feeling. The kids grew up when you weren’t looking. Significant events came and went, and you missed them. This happened because they seemed so insignificant at the time. Those little things were innocuous at the moment. Well, let me ask you, How about Christmas? Are you going to experience Christmas this year, or will it happen while you’re out? Some folks work strenuously to make Christmas meaningful by decorating and baking, buying presents, and sending cards only to flop in a chair on Christmas night, frazzled and exhausted. Christmas happened, and they missed it. You can’t buy a meaningful Christmas. You can’t arrange it. You can’t make it happen. Christmas is a gift; you either receive it, or you don’t. So, let me make a few suggestions for you this Christmas. First, find a nice, quiet place to sit. Read the Christmas story. Then, just sit, breathe deep, be still, and receive the Christmas gift you most need, but seldom think to ask for, God himself. Second, find a way to gather your children, your grandchildren, and the people who mean so much to you; and then, sit with them. Listen to them as they talk and laugh. Share with them the stories of your history and family. Let Christ pour from you his grace. Let God cement a memory within you and them that will last a lifetime.