Tuesday 24th December 2024 – Christmas Eve. Can you feel it in the air? The unmistakable mix of anticipation, joy, and slightly panicked last-minute present wrapping? Yes, Christmas Eve carries its own special kind of hustle and bustle, but it’s not just about the stockings, mince pies, or even the mulled wine simmering away. It’s about hope—a hope grounded in the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. Matthew 1:23 reminds us, ‘“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).’
Stop and think about that astounding truth for a moment. God with us. Right there in the hustle and anticipation of Christmas Eve, the promise of Immanuel echoes through. God didn’t stay distant. He came to dwell with us, stepping into our world with all its messiness to bring redemption and restoration.
Christmas Eve is also a time of anticipation—not just for the celebrations tomorrow or the presents under the tree, but for something far deeper. It’s a reminder of the waiting that God’s people endured centuries before Jesus’ birth, longing for the promise of a Saviour. Today, we, too, are a people waiting. Waiting for His return, when all things will be made new.
But here’s the challenge: how are we waiting? Are we filling this season with endless errands and distractions, or are we carving out time to prepare our hearts? Psalm 46:10 calls us to, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ In the midst of the Christmas Eve busyness, can we pause and reflect? Can we let hope and peace fill our hearts instead of stress and fatigue?
Reflection Verse
‘I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.’ – Psalm 130:5
A Moment to Reflect
What does hope look like in your life today? Are you letting the truths of Immanuel, “God with us,” shape your outlook? Take a moment amidst the whirlwind of Christmas preparations to sit quietly, read through Matthew 1:23, and invite God’s peace into your day.
Action Step
Light a candle tonight and spend a few moments reflecting on the light of Christ coming into the world. Pray together, if you’re with family, or on your own, thanking Him for His presence, His promises, and everything He’s done for you this year.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your presence, for being with us when we least deserved it. On this Christmas Eve, help us to pause and reflect on the hope You bring to a weary world. Still our hearts in the busyness and let Your peace flood over us. As we prepare to celebrate Your birth tomorrow, may we be reminded that You are still working, still moving, and still bringing light to the darkest places. We love You and wait in hope for all You’ll continue to do. Amen.
