Christmas Eve 2024

Luke 2:1–14 NIV

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

For a lot of people at the time,

It was business as usual

Government was running a census

Lots of travelling going on, and no room at any of the inns (we don’t know what that feels like, right?)

The shepherds going about their business taking care of their flocks

What is your usual for the holidays? or just life in general?

Giving gifts

Getting ready for family

paying big bills

God was doing something amazing in the background

And he was working through even the regular stuff.

It was a prophecy in the OT that the messiah would be born in Bethlehem. But mary and joseph weren’t living there.

What they saw as a routine event, God worked as a divine milestone.

We can miss the amazing behind the regular

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

We sometimes wait until we see God break through in this incredible, giant way.

But God is just as much in our every single day.

We just need to learn to walk with him.

Take a moment to recognize the good news that brings great joy

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The disciples were running around, healing and casting out demons, and Jesus said - rejoice that your names are written in the book of life.

No matter the high points, or the low points - God has given us the greatest gift that anyone could possibly receive, and that is life eternal through the birth, death and resurrection of His son.

And if we learn to walk with God - not just through the high points or low points, but every single step in between - we can walk in the power of a message of ‘good news that brings great joy’.

Can you use that this season? Next year?

If you can, it’s a simple thing. We just talk to God, and tell him that we believe

in the birth, death and resurrection of His son

we want to follow every step he has for us.

So, please pray with me.