In Luke 2:10-11, scripture says an angel spoke to some shepherds who were watching their flocks on the day Christ was born. It says as the angel stood before them, they were afraid. So, the angel said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
This all happened on the day before the birth of Christ. It’s what we call Christmas Eve. It was good news indeed. News they loved hearing!
However, the first real Christmas Eve probably happened without much to do. To everyone but a few it was probably just a normal day. The word eve means the period of time just before something important is about to happen. When the angels talked to the shepherds, the most important thing that could be had already just happened. Christ was born.
The shepherds and all people at that time had to look back and find joy at what had just happened. For us, Christmas Eve means we get to look ahead with anticipation to experience the joy of knowing already of the birth that changed the world for everybody.
I wonder if we are as joyful and as happy at the birth of Christ as the shepherds were? They were there to experience it; we get to celebrate it. The shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem to see what had just happened. They went to see the baby savior that God had promised. In their excitement, they were moved to go and find the joy that had come to the whole world.
As we look forward to tomorrow, the day we will acknowledge and celebrate the birth of Christ, let’s do that with joy and great anticipation. Where will we go? What will we do? We are blessed that many people have written songs about the birth of Christ to help us celebrate what tomorrow means to the world. One of my favorite songs is O Holy Night.
The words to O Holy Night say this:
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn’.Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;O night divine, O night, O night divine.
The words go on to say,
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother;
And in His name, all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all within us praise His holy name.Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
Christmas Eve then is the evening before an amazing event for us. Look around for your brightly shining star. It will lead you to where you should be. Recognize we were a world lost to sin until He appeared and gave each of us a sense of worth, value, and hope. Today we may be weary from living in a world dominated by sin but tomorrow we can rejoice because He will break the bonds of sin for us all.
Let’s fall on our knees today and thank God for Him. Listen to what the angel is trying to say to you. Keep the day and all about you holy and divine because in His name all oppression shall cease for us. Sing to Him sweet words of joy with a heart of gratefulness. Praise His Holy Name with all that you are.
He is Lord on this Christmas Eve, and tomorrow for many, He can be Lord and Savior.
So, as we look to celebrate His birthday, let’s look at this eve before the day and thank Him for what He has already done for us. Indeed, it is the greatest news of the greatest thing that could ever be. It is news we can really love to hear over and again.
Let’s spend this Christmas Eve with a song in our hearts as we acknowledge what tomorrow means. O Holy Night indeed. Christ our Savior is born.
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