Christmas Eve has changed for me over the years, as it likely has for most of you. As a child, Christmas Eve was fraught with anticipation. Candlelight service was an obstacle to be endured, a gateway through which one must pass to reach the glories of Christmas morn. When adolescence and young adulthood began to overtake me, and I drifted from the faith, Christmas Eve became little more than a commemoration of a historical event, like the 4th of July, and just meant time with family. As this pilgrim progressed homeward, though, and I was blessed with marriage and children, the focus turned outward. Christmas Eve was now a time spent focused on the joys of others. It was a blending of traditions, old and new – and not a few late-night assemblies of Barbie dream houses, trikes, and the like. Well, I’m old now, my children are young women, and Barbies are a thing of the past. Perhaps I’ve grown more contemplative, but the significance of what Christmas really is overwhelms me. Amidst the Hallmark images of bouncing babies, sweet angels, and a host of critters (and snow!) that most assuredly weren’t in Bethlehem; nestled in the story acted out by children in sheep and shepherd costumes; is a story of staggering magnitude. The Creator of the Universe came to this planet, humbled himself, made himself vulnerable, and walked amongst us, because of you. You and me and the entirety of human existence, past, present and future. The words below came to me during Christmas Eve service in 2018 as I contemplated the enormity of the Christmas message. No matter where you are in your journey on this rock hurtling through space, I pray these words may be a blessing to you. – PAT
(Not So) Silent Night
Or, The Real Reason for the Season
On a not so silent night some 2,000 years ago, the Creator of the Universe invaded the planet earth.
He did not come clad in armor, sword in hand, leading legions of angels. Instead, he came in what is arguably the most vulnerable life form in existence; a human baby.
He did not announce his presence in the halls of kings or the palaces of the powerful. Instead, his coming was announced to shepherds in their fields; individuals who were considered so low and dirty that they weren’t allowed inside the temple.
He did not come to drive out an occupying force, to conquer earthly kingdoms, or to lead his people to glory and riches. Instead, he came to save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
In short, he came to save us from ourselves.
So, consider this this holiday season, amidst what should be a joyous time of year, but may very well be a time of loneliness, sadness, and stress; Jesus is not the reason for the season – you are.
The Creator of the Universe loved you so much that he invaded his creation, made himself vulnerable, humbled himself, taught us, and ultimately sacrificed himself, for God so loved the world (this means you) that he gave his only son.
No matter what you’ve done, or what you may have left undone, God came for you, sacrificed for you, and offers you the gift of grace, forgiveness and eternal life.
But there’s an exclusivity to this offer. It’s only available to every human on the planet. Every. Single. One. The gift is yours for the taking. Enjoy the season that is all about God’s love for you, and accept that which is freely given.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
P.A. Tennant – Christmas Eve, 2018
Soli Deo Gloria
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P.A. Tennant 