The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
We are just one day away from one of the biggest celebrations of the year – Christmas Eve. It is the night we miraculously welcome the faith-full and the faith-challenged under one roof. The faith-full ….wondrously filled with joy over the greatest gift in the history of creation. The faith-challenged …often arriving out of obligation to a loved one or out of tradition, not really understanding what all the fuss is about. Each of them will walk through the church doors with their own experiences and their own expectations. Some with great anticipation and others with mild curiosity.
Whatever your own growing-up experience is when it comes to Christmas – as present-day followers of Jesus and lovers of God, as stewards of His House – this night, Christmas Eve, is special. Traditions and stories take a back seat to the wonder of this miracle and the reality of God’s gift as they collide into a beautiful awareness that erupts into joy and excitement
If we let it.
Children have such honest ways of explaining the feelings that are coursing through them during the Christmas season. Sometimes their only explanation is running in circles while screeching at the top of their lungs. Sometimes they are overwhelmed, and tears ensue. Others simply say they have tickles in their tummies.
I wonder if the angels had tickles in their tummies. How excited they must have been! Peering over the edge of Heaven with bated breath. Waiting for the first cries of our Lord and Savior as he entered our world as fully God and fully man. Waiting for the curtains of heaven to open wide for their grand announcement to those considered the lowliest of men.
As Assistants, our roles vary widely when it comes to Christmas Eve responsibilities. We might have food preparation, or candle assembly, or invitations to send, or preaching notes to deliver, or volunteers to direct, or gifts to account for, or any mix of practical things! So much of what we do is in the hidden places, behind the scenes, peering from behind the curtains in anticipation of what the Lord is about to do. Let’s remember to pause and allow the Holy Spirit to stir up the excitement in us. Let’s be intentional about our wonder. Let’s make ourselves available to stand fully in the wonder of His love. Let’s allow Him to cause tickles in our tummies.
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95:1-2
You are adored.
You Are Adored 