Ok, I can say it for certain, “It’s Saturday!” So, I can actually say with confidence that it feels like Saturday. But it’s not just any Saturday, it’s Christmas Eve!
All families have their Christmas traditions, and one of ours is attending our church’s Christmas Eve service. It’s always a wonderful, moving experience! To close the service each year, we sing Silent Night and light candles – it is an awesome sight! This year, it was even more awesome because just before we started singing Silent Night, one of our pastors, Randy Turner, read this passage from the Bible, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). This should sound familiar to most of you – this was the passage used at our company end-of-year meeting to launch our Sabbath Year, a few weeks ago.
I tried to take a picture of what it looked like once everyone had their candle lit, but the pictures I took did not do justice to this special moment. However, Randy Turner shot a video from his vantage point on the platform. Here is the link so that you can see, and maybe feel, the moment: https://www.facebook.com/randyandbobbieturner/posts/10211771908522593. Everyone is letting their light shine before others!
I’m grateful that my church has such a meaningful Christmas Eve service. It really sets the mood for the true meaning of Christmas Day.
Blessings, Kris