For some, Christmas Eve is a flurry of activity: shopping, cooking, cleaning. For me, Christmas Eve was always about celebrating my father’s birthday (usually with a meal out), watching the carol service from King’s College Chapel, Cambridge on television and preparing for Christmas Day itself with family. In some ways in my family, Christmas Eve was the day our Christmas celebrations really started (and in some countries, the special Christmas meal is eaten on that day and presents are opened then.) Now that I have a granddaughter whose birthday is on Christmas Eve, the birthday celebrations continue apace!
Many people attend church services on Christmas Eve, sometimes at midnight, so that they are in church to worship the new-born King as Christmas Eve turns to Christmas Day. However you choose to celebrate Christmas Eve, take a moment to be thankful for the reason for the season. Without Christ, there really is no reason to celebrate. With Him at the centre of our celebrations, we have hope, peace, love and joy and can face the uncertainties of the future with confidence that He will bless us and be with us always – Immanuel, God with us; Jesus, the God who saves.
