In the Jewish celebration of Passover, to prompt the telling of the story of God's deliverance, a child is prompted to ask the question, "What makes this night different from all other nights?"  That is the question that prompts the telling of our story tonight.  Christmas Eve: "What makes this night different from all other nights?"  Tonight we tell the story that contains the message that the world wants to hear more than any other; that God loves us, God is with us, and God desires a relationship with us.  Tonight families will gather in worship to hear that message and make their way to an altar to kneel and experience that message.  Some will be there because they want to, others will be there only because they have to.  No other night offers such an opportunity to share the heart of the Christian message.  This may well be the night that someone in or visiting your congretation really hears it and recieves it for the first time, or hears it again in a meaningful way for the first time in a long time.  So go and tell this story with passion and compassion, with faith and hope, and above all with love for the God who chose you to be an instrument of grace and love for the people He sent you to serve.

Merry Christmas!
Ben

Comments