Today’s scripture: Luke 2:8-11 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ciémone Easter-Rose):
When I was a child, my family always had a Christmas tree at our house. We decorated it with the usual staples every year, but there was one feature that really stood out in my remembrance. We always had the multi-colored tree lights that blinked along with a variety of holiday tunes. On Christmas Eve, my father would also light the fireplace in the family room, and, at some point during the night, I would inevitably find myself sitting next to it, soaking up its warm glow, while staring transfixed at the dancing lights on the tree. There was something kind of magical to me about those moments — and, when I look back on that memory, it brings me a great deal of comfort. I believe that the reason for this feeling is the association that I have of that scene with a particular type of calm that I felt at the time. It was instilled by both the warmth of the fire and the beauty of the colorful lights, along with the rhythmic sounds emanating from the tree in an otherwise completely still and quiet house. In addition, the experience of this for me was also cloaked in the anticipation of what was coming the next day — family, food, and of course gifts! Truth be told, though, I was never one of those kids who got too wrapped up in the presents. In actuality, Christmas Eve was always my favorite part, precisely because of the scene I’ve just described. It is difficult to convey my exact sentiments about these moments, but a similar mood is captured well in one of my favorite Christmas songs: O Holy Night.
In the song, a description is given of the impact of Jesus’ birth. The song begins with a proclamation about the stars brightly shining in the sky. As I listen to the song, I see in my mind the lights of the Christmas tree flashing before me. I feel a sense of hope and anticipation, much like that of a child on Christmas Eve. A night of peace, calm, comfort, joy, and the anticipation of knowing that something great is just ahead of me. Luke 2:10 tells of “good news of great joy for all the people” that is coming with the birth of Jesus. The feeling that proclamation inspires — that is my Christmas Eve. The birth of the savior, as proclaimed in the song, brings “a thrill of hope.” And the song goes on:
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels’ voices
O night divine
O night that Christ was born
When I listen to this song, particularly this verse, I am flooded with every feeling that I had in the Christmas Eves of my past, sitting next to that warm fire, in front of the flashing lights that danced to the tune of music and that celebrated the joy and hope and peace and calm that comes with knowing that our Savior has arrived.
Question for the day: What feelings does your connection to Christmas inspire in you?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.