Christma Eve Reflections

Where do I turn to when there's no choice to make?
And how do I presume when there's so much at stake?
I was so sure of it all - Marcus Mumford

It's Christmas Eve. 

Perhaps more than most days of the year, today is when many of us come face to face and realize that what we believe to be true- what we desire above all--doesn't mesh with what we see around us. 

It's called "cognitive dissonance"-the feeling you get when you are experiencing is exactly opposite to what you believe to be true.

For some of us, the feeling is a mere shiver of uneasiness, but for others, it's a full-on, constant shudder that doesn't want to go away.  We know the world isn't as it should be.  Not by a long shot. 

And there are not enough cute animal videos on Facebook to improve it.

So, we retreat into our traditions, gatherings and exchanging of gifts.  We may even decide to shutter our windows to what's happening "out there," or even within us, for that matter.  For many of us, the world isn't right; it is our own. 

But tonight, we have the chance to push the uneasiness and trouble aside and do something powerful.

Tonight, many of us will gather in places of worship, and we will light candles and sing songs.  We'll hush the squirming, excited children sitting next to us as they tug at the itchy sweaters constricting their joy. 

And we'll tell the story.  We'll tell the story of how God became one of us to rescue all of us. 

As we tell this story again, we'll also begin to realize something if we are brave enough: We'll realize that the gift of God's presence that we long for and anticipate is one we've already been given.  

You see, Jesus has been and will always be here--reminding us that the different world we long to see is illuminated more clearly when we light what candles we have, and the darkness retreats once again.  

Because that's what darkness does when the light shines.  It retreats.  

May it be so for you today and every day.  

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen. 

Dear readers, I hope you have the most wonderful and joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year! I will be taking some time off from the Daily Devos during the holidays and won't be back until after I return from traveling with my middle son to Edinburgh, Scotland, where he will be studying next semester!  Blessings to you all!