A GREAT CHRISTMAS EVE

I love Christmas Eve!  It is my birthday and my parents were intent on making it a special day rather than coupling it with the Christmas celebrations.  

I always felt that Jesus and I had a connection that only people with birthdays on Christmas day or eve could enjoy.  I know, it was child's play, but thanks to my mom and dad, my birthday was special.


Candlelight services at our church on Christmas eve was beautiful.  Candles were placed all around the railing of the balcony in the sanctuary as well as on the ends of the pews, across the podium, in windowsills and every flat surface that would be safe with a burning candle on it.  

The lights were dimmed, the pipe organ along with the lit candles greeted us as we entered to the hymn "Oh Come All  Ye Faithful,"  The service was short, telling the story of Joseph, Mary and the birth of the Son of God who willingly left God's side to come to earth and be killed thirty three years later. 

God loved the world (us) so much that he gave his only son (Christ) to die a horribly painful death on the cross and then to defeat death through the resurrection and live again. Whoever believes in Him has everlasting life.  That, my friends is why Christ is the first part of the name Christmas.  

May God bless you abundantly today, tomorrow and forever.