Christmas Eve -- Late And At Home
Devotional
Holy Moments
A Study Of Burning Bush Experiences
Object:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to
you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and
do not let them be afraid."
-- John 14:27
One of my holiest moments experienced breaks into my life once a year. It occurs in the living room of our house, while seated on a sofa with my wife, at about 1:30 a.m. on Christmas morning.
Let me please first set the scene. The eight to ten hours prior to this Holy Moment are important. Indeed, without these hours setting the scene, there would be no Holy Moment to be experienced. The eight to ten hours before the Holy Moment occur on Christmas Eve; the Holy Moment itself takes place early Christmas morning.
The eight to ten hours prior to the Holy Moment are filled with Christmas worship, carols, poinsettias, luminaries, hundreds of people, and choirs. Though tiring, the long day has been holy in itself. Celebrating the birth and presence of Jesus Christ is one of the most joyous times of the entire year.
After the last Christmas Eve candlelight service, the worshipers slowly disperse into the dark night with hearts aglow. Suddenly, "Silent Night, Holy Night" sets in at the church. I am alone in the church. I make the rounds turning off lights, unplugging Christmas trees, locking doors, and picking up personal items left by worshipers. I walk to my car, get in, and drive home -- choosing to sing Christmas carols to myself rather than listen to the radio. The streets are bare. The air is cool. There seems to be Holiness draped over the world that is unique to Christmas Eve. I'm tired. My feet are sore. My back is tired. I know that I will have to get out of bed in just a few hours to open Christmas presents with my family. But I am in no hurry to go to bed. Indeed, I know that I am on my way to experiencing one of the holiest moments of the year.
I arrive home. Lights are still on. My wife Cindy is waiting up for me. The Christmas tree lights are still on. The fire is out in the fireplace, but I can still smell the glowing burnt embers. Cindy knows that a Holy Moment is about to occur. We don't have to discuss or plan for the Holy Moment. We meet in the kitchen, pour glasses of eggnog, and then together walk to the living room where we sit down together on the love seat.
The Holy Moment arrives. Not magically, just miraculously. Jesus is present with us. Time stops. Contentment and peace fill and surround us. Cindy asks how the worship services were. We look at the tree filled with ornaments. We both are overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude. Oh, not that all of the years have been easy! Some of the years included cancer, deaths of loved ones, illnesses, and trials. But these events and the memories of these events just make the moment holier.
The Holy Moment lasts about thirty minutes. Then, it's bed time. Christmas morning and the children at the foot of our bed are only a few hours away. Cindy and I, having shared a Holy Moment, know that time marches on -- but we also know that "Immanuel," God is with us!
Questions
1. When is the holiest moment of your annual Christmas celebration?
2. Do you have a tradition or two in your family that are as holy and meaningful as this tradition in our family? Please share such traditions. If you do not have one, please plan one.
3. Do you think that the Lord still "visits" the earth in a special spiritual way on Christmas Eve -- making it a "holy night" that somehow touches even the most resistant of souls?
Prayer
Almighty God, Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, thank You for not giving up on Your fallen and lost Creation! Thank You for coming into our world through Your only Son, Jesus Christ, at Bethlehem for the purpose of redeeming us -- of buying us back through the payment of Your Son's life given on a Cross for the sins of a fallen world. Only through Your presence and grace can any holiness enter our world. Please, Lord, make us sensitive to Your presence. You are still with us! Immanuel! Amen!
-- John 14:27
One of my holiest moments experienced breaks into my life once a year. It occurs in the living room of our house, while seated on a sofa with my wife, at about 1:30 a.m. on Christmas morning.
Let me please first set the scene. The eight to ten hours prior to this Holy Moment are important. Indeed, without these hours setting the scene, there would be no Holy Moment to be experienced. The eight to ten hours before the Holy Moment occur on Christmas Eve; the Holy Moment itself takes place early Christmas morning.
The eight to ten hours prior to the Holy Moment are filled with Christmas worship, carols, poinsettias, luminaries, hundreds of people, and choirs. Though tiring, the long day has been holy in itself. Celebrating the birth and presence of Jesus Christ is one of the most joyous times of the entire year.
After the last Christmas Eve candlelight service, the worshipers slowly disperse into the dark night with hearts aglow. Suddenly, "Silent Night, Holy Night" sets in at the church. I am alone in the church. I make the rounds turning off lights, unplugging Christmas trees, locking doors, and picking up personal items left by worshipers. I walk to my car, get in, and drive home -- choosing to sing Christmas carols to myself rather than listen to the radio. The streets are bare. The air is cool. There seems to be Holiness draped over the world that is unique to Christmas Eve. I'm tired. My feet are sore. My back is tired. I know that I will have to get out of bed in just a few hours to open Christmas presents with my family. But I am in no hurry to go to bed. Indeed, I know that I am on my way to experiencing one of the holiest moments of the year.
I arrive home. Lights are still on. My wife Cindy is waiting up for me. The Christmas tree lights are still on. The fire is out in the fireplace, but I can still smell the glowing burnt embers. Cindy knows that a Holy Moment is about to occur. We don't have to discuss or plan for the Holy Moment. We meet in the kitchen, pour glasses of eggnog, and then together walk to the living room where we sit down together on the love seat.
The Holy Moment arrives. Not magically, just miraculously. Jesus is present with us. Time stops. Contentment and peace fill and surround us. Cindy asks how the worship services were. We look at the tree filled with ornaments. We both are overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude. Oh, not that all of the years have been easy! Some of the years included cancer, deaths of loved ones, illnesses, and trials. But these events and the memories of these events just make the moment holier.
The Holy Moment lasts about thirty minutes. Then, it's bed time. Christmas morning and the children at the foot of our bed are only a few hours away. Cindy and I, having shared a Holy Moment, know that time marches on -- but we also know that "Immanuel," God is with us!
Questions
1. When is the holiest moment of your annual Christmas celebration?
2. Do you have a tradition or two in your family that are as holy and meaningful as this tradition in our family? Please share such traditions. If you do not have one, please plan one.
3. Do you think that the Lord still "visits" the earth in a special spiritual way on Christmas Eve -- making it a "holy night" that somehow touches even the most resistant of souls?
Prayer
Almighty God, Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, thank You for not giving up on Your fallen and lost Creation! Thank You for coming into our world through Your only Son, Jesus Christ, at Bethlehem for the purpose of redeeming us -- of buying us back through the payment of Your Son's life given on a Cross for the sins of a fallen world. Only through Your presence and grace can any holiness enter our world. Please, Lord, make us sensitive to Your presence. You are still with us! Immanuel! Amen!
