Now that most of us have digested the holiday festivities, I could use this time to expand on Charlie’s Christmas message from the Christmas Eve service. I could intertwine relevant examples of excitement, expectation, and hope. Once I come down from this sugar high I could probably even think up a few illustrations to go along with the topic of Childlike Faith. But I don’t want to do that now.
I didn’t plan on going to the Genesis Christmas Eve service for a number of reasons. I already had something planned that night. I was tired. I heard the message on Sunday morning, so…? I didn’t expect there would be very many people going since it was midnight and all. Figured maybe twenty. But I couldn’t sleep and I decided to go anyway, and I am so glad I did.
I was astonished to see so many people at Genesis, many of whom I’ve never seen before. I took a step back for a moment just to watch the crowd assemble and to feel the muted excitement quivering overhead. Even in the dim light I could see families huddled together in thick coats, sitting or standing closer together than they normally would on any other evening.
And to stand amidst a crowd worshipping Jesus together, remembering His birth, lent a tranquility to this season that seems to scream past us at 120 miles per hour. I wanted to climb a ladder to stare across the clusters of people. I felt frustratingly short. But when everyone lit their candles and held them up I suddenly wanted to curl up deep in the warm, euphoric glow. It felt like maybe what Heaven is like; surrounded by worshippers lit by a pure-burning light and God dwelling among us. The strangers sitting next to us not really strangers- unified and presently safe from distraction.
And later I caught my reflection in a little boy’s eyes.
If you have any children's books lying around that aren't totally tattered you might think about donating them to the Live Oak school district. All you have to do is bring them by church on Sunday and deposit them in one of the cardboard boxes marked "Books".
