The night before Christmas

by Gary Bowman on December 14th, 2011

It’s perhaps my favorite evening of the year. It’s so full of expectation. For some of us, the eve of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is like a somersault of joy turning over in our hearts, it's hard to sit still. For others, the joy is more like a cozy Sunday afternoon nap, calm and softness and fresh hope. 

Some of what we feel is wonderful sentimentality, warm and snug. That's good. But the truth that draws us, that makes the eve of His birth such a holy night is more than an angelic-anesthesia that we pop once a year, good for about 24 hours.

Christmas Eve doesn't just make us forget real life for a few hours. 

It didn't do that for Mary and Joseph. 

It's such a great night because it tells us that God is with us in real life, with real people, warts and all.

Nativity Modern

I imagine that not all of Mary's relationships were where she wished they were on the eve of Jesus' birth. I wonder if things weren't greatly strained between this unwed, pregnant teenager (14-15 years old?) and her parents? All of us struggle as well with relationships that are fragile, difficult, askew. Does God turn his back on dysfunctional people like us?

Think about how dim Mary and Joseph's future looked. Two poor,  homeless, unemployed, unmarried teenage peasants, now with a baby to provide for. And within a year or so packing up their few belongings, and fleeing for their lives, finding themselves as refuges in Africa. Most of our futures have difficulties, risks ahead, unknowns, questions. Does God leave us alone to face the hard things?

And Mary and Joseph were no angels, they were real teenagers, with thoughts inside of them they wouldn't wanted on facebook--at times full of selfishness, at times turning their backs on God, at times hurting people in their lives. We join Joseph and Mary as sinners, we too have failed God and let people down. Does God shun and ignore sinners?

Remember what the angel said to Mary--Mary with unresolved conflicts in relationships, with a very shaky future, Mary tainted just like us with sin--"Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you." Luke 1.30, The Message Bible

A big surprise. God was looking upon Mary with favor in her real life, troubles and all, frailties and all. The surprise--that while God sees our weaknesses and sins, He also sees the beauty He will shape us into! He loves us, and he choses to be with us and never to leave us alone.

No wonder Mary was bursting with God-news, no wonder she was dancing the song of her Savior God. 

I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened—I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!

What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. 

His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before Him. 

 Luke 1.47-50, The Message Bible

God doesn't turn his back upon people who have broken relationships. 

God doesn't leave us to face our perils alone.

God doesn't shun and ignore sinners.

The birth of her son Jesus brings God's mercy and hope flowing in wave after wave into our real lives. 

Jesus birth, and his death, announce to us, "We having nothing to fear. God has a surprise for us."

 

Come and join our worship on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day:

Candle Light Family Christmas Eve Communion, Saturday, December 24, 5pm

Christmas Eve Contemplative Worship, Saturday, December 24, 11.30pm

Christmas Day Worship, Sunday, December 25, 10.35am


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