Emphasis Preaching Journal

Christmas Eve is always a special time for Joe and Barbara as their adult children along with their spouses and children attend worship together. Employment spread Joe and Barbara's children across the country but each year they return home for Christmas. Joe and Barbara look forward to this special time each year.

Traveling in several cars they would go to the church where Joe and Barbara are members and where their children attended while growing up. The church is beautiful, with what can be described as a gothic interior with exquisite stained-glass windows. "They just don't build churches like that anymore," Joe says whenever his adult children visit. The window on the right side of the church depicts Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus born in a manger. Each window depicts an aspect of Jesus' life; on the left side of the church is the crucifixion. The church also has a historical pipe organ. They always try to get to church early to listen to the organ. The church is decorated with live greens and candles on each pew. It is a beautiful sight to behold.

There is something comforting in the familiar. The service begins with the congregation singing of "O Come, All Ye Faithful," then the Christmas story is interspersed with special musical selections, hymns, and a message. The service concludes with the lighting of individual candles. As the candles are being lit, the congregation sings "Silent Night." It was at that moment when their ten-month-old grandson, Kevin, let out a loud cry. His mother did her best to try to hush him, but he continued to cry.

Some might have felt that the baby's crying had ruined the entire service. As the service concluded Pastor John said, "A baby cries out in the darkness. How wonderful! Go in peace, remembering the baby born in Bethlehem, the Savior of the world." The people departed thankful for the reminder -- Jesus came to this earth as a baby!