Day 48 of 4: Christmas Eve (originally posted 12/24/12)
Christmas Eve! Sounds of thunder, patter of hail, loud booms and heavy rain! Wow! What a morning on the weather front! Bet those little babies are up early this morning… after all, it is Christmas Eve! Only in Texas is it in the 60's one day, shirt sleeve weather; next day, storms, hail and possible snow! How fun is that? Especially the snow! Praying for that and not ice!
Christmas Eve was magical here at my house. Crazy with extra friends, unexpected because of a tamale delivery! That just made it better! I loved seeing people who are ordinarily with their families, but a quick stop was a blessing. My friend made many wonderful tamales and their Christmas Eve delivery made for a fun time. By the way, I've never tasted such delectable tamales… and I come from a long line of tamale lovers! Awesome, Maria! Also, there were the sounds of six children excitedly playing all over the house, the men talking football, basketball and sports of all kinds, watching a bowl game, and family visitors. Oh, and the food, glorious food!!! Chili and tamales, guacamole and queso, hot sauce, chips, and an ice cream dessert…. it was a delightful evening, topped off with some sweet time with my daughters getting things ready for Santa!
Winding down the evening, I turned on the television to see the news, but I was too late. Instead there was a Christmas Eve service from a big church in Dallas. The music was beautiful, so I left it on… it was uplifting and divine. The carols traditional and solidly performed, the choir robes starched and immaculate, the reading from God's Word professionally done, and the sermon was thoughtful and perfect in its delivery. The congregation was impeccably dressed, the faces sincere, the decorations looked like a window from Neiman Marcus. I am serious… the contrast with our own children's service at our church was almost humorous…
Our Christmas eve program was hilarious, the decorations whimsical, the children perfectly "children," the message was an enactment of the Christmas story by the 4 year olds of the church, and it was one of the most precious plays ever. You see, our children's pastor lets the kids be kids even though they are supposed to act like wise men, sheep, angels and Mary and Joseph. Even baby Jesus gets the children's test of love!
Night and day? Maybe. But that is what is so marvelous about the Christmas Story. It is for all people. The perfect, the wealthy, the poor, the sick. Back to the Dallas service, I will admit as the camera panned the congregation, it was apparent that many were not well. Some did not look happy, many looked distracted, some appeared bored and many just looked disinterested. It was as if they didn't know the camera was on them, and I saw their neediness. It was hard to miss. At the children's service at our church, I'm sure there were some sad faces, too; some faces that were covering up pain, loneliness and sadness at this time of year.
Contrast? Maybe not. The services were entirely different, but the neediness is always the same. Jesus did not come to earth to save the already "fine." The "it's ok, God, I've got this." The ones who would say, "I don't need a Savior, I am great just the way I am." No, He came to save us all. And He came as a baby, to reinforce the helpless, human way He came. Our Savior. For all of us! And for each of us!
Let us focus today on the individual person Jesus came to save. You and me. Individuals with different wants, but the universal need of salvation. Baby Jesus! Just imagine that! He came to save everyone, yet He came to save just one! Let the message of Jesus birth ring joy in your heart today, and mine! As Billy Graham always says, "God loves you!" Merry Christmas!
"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11
Pray: Father, may each one of us find the peace and joy of a Savior come to earth to save us. Amen
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