Christmas Eve Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

“I exalt you, my God the King, and bless your name forever and ever.
I will bless you every day; I will praise your name forever and ever.
The Lord is great and is highly praised; his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts. I will speak of your splendor and glorious majesty and your wondrous works. They will proclaim the power of your awe-inspiring acts, and I will declare your greatness. They will give a testimony of your great goodness and will joyfully sing of your righteousness.”

Psalm 145:1-7

Every Christmas season, Jordan Creek Town Center has a grand tree lighting ceremony, and every year, our family gathers to watch the spectacular celebration. Whether we’re gathered together outside by the lake or huddled in our vehicle with our pajamas already on or just running out the back door of our home to watch the fireworks, we love this special evening!

I remember the first year this ceremony happened. Our family bundled up our three small children, fastened the twins in the stroller, and gathered around the lake with thousands

of other eager neighbors, friends, and people from the community. Starbucks handed out free hot chocolate, and stores from the new mall passed out a limited number of gift cards to welcome customers. Live music bellowed from the beautiful new venue. People were all smiles and full of anticipation for this fun evening.

Whispers spread throughout the crowd. Santa’s coming. He’s going to light the tree. Sure enough, after one last carol from the band, cheers arose from the crowd as Santa came out from the doors of the mall and stood across the lake from the tree.

He held up a shiny ball of light and proceeded to throw it across the lake. The crowd oohed and ahhed at the grandeur of it all as the ball of light seemingly flew across the water toward the giant Christmas tree. A roar of cheers, clapping, and laughter erupted as the light hit the tree, and it immediately became brightly illuminated. It was seemingly a bit of Christmas magic.

But for me, what took place next was truly where the “magic” of Christmas shone through brightly that night. The tree lit up, and the music of Joy To the World simultaneously began to broadcast loudly across the lake. The entire crowd joined in singing, “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME. LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING.”

I still get teary-eyed thinking of that moment. The world, try as they might with Santa and

all the pretend magic, could not replace the glory that this celebration is always truly about our Savior. While the crowd sang along to the familiar words of the carol, my heart cried out for our triumphant King to reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The glory of God is always all around us, whether it’s in something as obvious as a Christmas carol that points us to the hope of our Eternal King coming to reign or the graciousness of God to allow us to revel in His beautiful nature and the changing of seasons.

So this Christmas Eve, let the glorious reality that God sent His Son as a baby to be the perfect and holy sacrifice and the beautiful anticipation that He will rule the earth again fuel us as we love our families and point those around us to our Savior.

GOD IS HOLY.

I AM SINFUL.

JESUS SAVES.

HE IS MINE BY FAITH.

Reflection Question: Where do you see God making himself known to the world, even if it isn’t recognized at the moment?

Prayer: Father, thank you for the precious gift of Jesus. It is overwhelming to think that you used something as vulnerable as a baby’s birth to send us Jesus. What beautiful evidence that your hand is ultimately guiding the salvation of your people. Amen.