All year long, I look forward to those last few moments of Christmas Eve, when our pj-clad kids are almost to the excitement breaking point. They literally run in circles, singing and laughing. It’s almost like their brains can’t handle the truth that Christmas is only a few short sleeping hours away, and their joy is practically breath-taking.
I have always loved Christmas, but as a mother, I think those few minutes before bed on Christmas Eve are some of the greatest minutes of the entire year. I’m just as excited as the kids are.
Their faces give away their excitement. And, their hearts are set on enjoying every little thing about this night, especially the long awaited fulfillment of their Christmas morning dreams.
It makes me think of those little shepherd boys, out in the fields on the night of Jesus’ birth. How long had they been waiting for the Messiah? How long had they been enduring the silence of the One True God? And then suddenly, on the first Christmas Eve, the sky was filled with light. Angels appeared, and in an instant the shepherds realized that the long-expected Savior had arrived. And, not only had He arrived, He had dropped into a little stable just a few miles away. Can you imagine the expressions on those faces? Wonder. Excitement. Awe. Sheer happiness.
This Christmas may feel a little more strained than most, for lots of reasons. But, there’s no circumstance, no fear or worry or news article that should be able to keep us from experiencing true excitement on Christmas Eve. It should show in our faces. It should ring in our spirits. The light of a night sky in Bethlehem should invade the shadowy corners of our hearts. Because Jesus has come. He is near. Can you hear the angels singing?
I love hearing from you!