Wednesday Wonder

Christmas Eve!

All our Advent waiting and watching is coming to an end tonight. We celebrate the birth of a special child, God-with-us. Are we ready?

During the four weeks of Advent we talk about hope, peace, joy and love. Being intentional about these things is part of the preparation to welcome the Christ child. He is a hope to a world that often seems hopeless. It often feels no less so now than it did then. He was called the Prince of Peace by prophets, and by those who knew him and his ministry. He brought joy to those who encountered him because he touched their hearts and lives, he made them feel whole. He operated from a place of love. Love was always first and foremost in his manner and way. Everyone felt that love because he wanted to ensure everyone knew God loved them.

Tonight’s celebration is a combination of all those things. It is the culmination of all the waiting, watching and preparing we have been doing.

So, are you ready? Yes, you have cleaned the house, bought and prepared the food, wrapped all the presents, but are you ready?

Are you open to the coming of hope, peace, joy and love that our celebration is all about? Sometimes, we don’t feel quite ready and open to such things. Sometimes, we don’t think those things are possible in our lives.

At various times one or more of them will dim. During this past year, I know that many of you have gone through difficult times. These times have left you feeling less hope, peace, joy or love for various reasons. Even this season that is full of light and laughter is not always so for everyone.

Whether you are joining in the laughter or sitting with less joy in your heart, this is still a time for celebration. Why? Because no matter what is going on in your life, God is with you. That is the thing we celebrate. God-with-us means that God is in the laughter and the tears. God-with-us has come to understand our human condition.

God-with-us is the greatest gift we can receive. It doesn’t need shiny paper and a bow. It doesn’t need a house full of lights, food and people. It needs only an open heart in which to reside. And when we provide that space, it makes all the difference, every day.

However, you are able to celebrate this year, remember this: Wherever you are in life, God-with-us is there too. We celebrate this event every year. It can become something we do without thinking. Take the time to think about it.

This gift is the greatest gift. Whatever you need, it provides. You could say it is one size fits all. It fits because when God is one of us, we can sit together, laugh together, cry together, live together. We are never alone. The Light comes into the world, and nothing can put it out.

Merry Christmas!