Christmas Eve Devotion

Love has come down

Last year, a young man in our youth group experienced Christmas Eve for the first time. For the first time he heard choirs singing phrases like, “O Come Let Us Adore Him.” For the first time, he sat with a community of faith and found himself captivated by the story of God’s great love coming into the world.  For the first time, he was passed light to his candle, held it high in the air and joined with hundreds of voices singing, “Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright.”

That night, gathered in worship, around a simple manger, his life changed. And so do ours.

Some have lit and lifted candles for decades, others for only a few years. For some, this Christmas Eve, it will be the first time to see such light. Wherever you find yourself this day, know that the story of God is still active in you. The light of Christ is still shining. God is still coming and speaking and Jesus, the baby in the manager, is still changing the world.

This baby isn’t just human. This baby is our hope. This baby is love is coming down.

Love is making its way into our world. Love is entering our mess. Love is breaking into our darkness. Love is shining radiantly. This love, this baby, this night has, is and will forever change the world.

So as you enter into worship, come like the young man did last year. Overwhelmed by the beauty of God’s light shining, encouraged by the story of a baby who is the Christ, and filled with wonder that God is still up to something.

Love has come down.

Love has come, a light in the darkness!  Love explodes in the Bethlehem skies.
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it. Hear how their song of joy arises: 

Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior!  Love! Love! Glory to God on high!

Love is born! Come share in the wonder. Love is God now asleep in the hay. See the glow in the eyes of His mother. What is the name her heart is saying?
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers.  Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel.

Love has come, He never will leave us! Love is life everlasting and free.
Love is Jesus within and among us. Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas.
Love! Love! Praise to You, God on high!          ELW #292, Words by Ken Bible

Danielle Kosanovich