As we anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, so we look past the lighted tree and watch the Heavenly sky from which He will come down to gather His children (believers) Home.
As believers, we celebrate with joy the Light Who has come to us, lives in us, and shines through us in this dark world. As believers, we comfort each other with hope in our waiting for His soon return.
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." ~ I Thessalonians4:13-18 KJV
I wonder if the sky will be vivid in color when He returns. The sky was bright by the Star of Bethlehem when He came to us as a baby in human flesh.
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." ~ Matthew 2:19 KJV
"Christmas Eve" brings a sense of anticipation for Christmas Day. The objects of our anticipation may vary as we go through different seasons of life. In youth, traditional gift giving and receiving may be eagerly awaited. Managing everyone back home for Christmas may then become the best gift. For some, the Christmas season brings anticipation of sadness due to deep loss. We may anticipate a still, quiet day as compared to a busy, exhausting day.
Whatever our anticipation looks like this year, there is surety for believers. The Lord Jesus Christ Who came to us under the light of a star is the Light Who shines brighter than any of our expectations of this Christmas season.
Because Jesus is the Light of our world, may we experience His joy in our celebrations and His comfort in our anticipations, no matter what our circumstances.
Christmas blessings to you all! ~ jlw