O Holy Night

Christmas Eve

Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.

This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 

All went to their own towns to be registered.

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.

He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Reflection: 

It is tempting to rush through today.  For many of us, today IS the big celebration – sometimes schedules require that.  Some folks will be putting the final touches on any number of plans and details.  Others may be setting out to the stores.  It is tempting to pay more attention to our sense of urgency than to our sense of AWE.  If we yield to urgency, focusing upon what we “need” to do we may actually miss the moments when the light of Christ expands within our hearts.

Wait….Watch…Tonight is the night that is unlike any other.  It is Christmas Eve 2012.  This evening has never been experienced by humankind.  It will never be experienced again.     

Will you linger just a while longer with the joy of anticipation? 

Be still.  Try not to move (at least for a while). 

Enjoy the vibrating excitement of hope, love, peace and abundant mercy approaching you today.  It has been promised.  And what God promises, God fulfills.