Christmas Eve Meditation for Families or Individuals

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Can you think of something you have waited a long time for? Something you have been looking forward to? Maybe it is a present under the tree tonight, maybe it is for someone to come home from being away for a long time. We all know what it is like to wait eagerly for something.

Now imagine that that thing you are waiting for is a king. Imagine that you know a king is coming that will fix all the mess. Some of you know this feeling because you thought it was a president, but it never is.

The king who fixes things actually shows up in unexpected places. You thought he would be rich, powerful and well known. But actually the long awaited one shows up in the least likely of places.

On this night long ago, a young woman went into labor is a small out of the way place. She was forced to give birth to this baby in a barn in a back alley behind a cheap inn.

This baby was the incarnation of the maker of all things. The God of ages, the Ancient of days. He was the wealthiest being to ever live because he owned the entire universe. Yet, he choose to come not in power and wealth and fame and celebrity.

The thing that people had waited for centuries for was God coming in flesh and poverty.

Tonight as we prepare for feasts, family, and fun. Please don’t forget that all of these things are things that we have added to the celebration. Many people tonight don’t have these things. All they have is hope that Jesus is God made flesh to save them.

ASK
Why do you think Jesus came this way instead of in power and fame?

Why should we be glad he did?

PRAY
Thank God that he came for us in a way that we would hear him.

Ask God to be with the people in the world tonight who worship him, but have no trees, electricity, food or presents.

Ask God to help you remember that Christmas is about rescuing us all from the ways we hurt ourselves and each other.