Faithbase

Well, hey, Faith Base, Happy Christmas Eve. I wanted to take a moment and just share a Christmas Eve blessing with you. You know, Christmas Eve holds a special place in our hearts as it's a night that's filled with anticipation, filled with wonder. The air is charged with excitement as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and in the next few moments I just wanted to reflect on the significance of Christmas Eve and how it invites us to experience the joy and the hope of Christ's coming. I don't know if you're like me here in Texas, it's about six o'clock, the sun is setting, we've had a full day of worship and Christmas Eve activities with family, and now kids are filled with anticipation and expectation as we gather together with friends and family and loved ones, and in the midst of that we're reminded of the hope and the joy that fills our hearts that was present on that holy night in Bethlehem. Though the world may be filled with chaos and uncertainty, Christmas Eve is a night that reminds us God is faithful to fulfill His promises, and in the midst of all the festivities and the preparation, I think it's important that we take a moment to pause and just embrace the peace and the joy that Christ's birth brings. The Bible says, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John chapter 1 verse 14, that's the way John tells his Christmas story, it's a powerful verse in the midst of his gospel that really encapsulates the miracle of Christmas because on that sacred night, the Word became flesh and the Word dwelt among us. God in His infinite love and His incredible mercy sent His Son to live among humanity, to bring salvation and to reconcile us to Himself. The glory of God revealed in the humble form of a baby Jesus Christ, and as we celebrate tonight, as we celebrate Christmas Eve, may we remember the profound truth that God is with us. He is Emmanuel, God with us, and His presence brings grace and truth and everlasting joy. And so as you gather, maybe in worship tonight with family, with friends on this holy night of Christmas Eve, I want to encourage you to open your hearts to the transformative power of Christ's birth. And I want to encourage you to be reminded that Christmas Eve is not merely just a holiday night or the night before a holiday, it is a divine invitation to experience the presence of God in our lives. And so as we exchange gifts, as we share meals, as we create cherished memories in the midst of loudness and chaos and wrapping paper everywhere, may our hearts be filled with gratitude for the ultimate gift of Jesus. May His love and peace permeate every aspect of our celebrations, and may it fill us with hope as we welcome the dawn of Christmas. I want to encourage you, carry the joy, carry the wonder of the night with you, not just tonight, not just into tomorrow morning, but carry it with you throughout the year. Share the good news of Christ's birth with others. May this holy night of Christmas Eve be a time of reflection. May it be a time of awe. May it be a time of deepening faith in the one who came to save us. Believe in it, trust in it, live in it. May it bless you tonight. Be great. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve. We'll see you next time.