It’s Christmas Eve. Even the words evoke so many memories made and the anticipation of new ones. I fondly recall many late night Christmas Eves when my children were little. Getting cookies set out, reading the Christmas story, pictures in pjs around the Christmas tree. Then after they were tucked snugly in bed the frenzy would begin. Wrapping the rest of the presents, finishing the baking, then cleaning the mess of it all. I was usually done around 1 am, just in time for Mass from St Peter’s Basillica to come on the television. I loved that moment. Exhausted, but everything was prepared for my family and I had a moment to sit. Sit in anticipation of what the day would bring. Sit in appreciation that somehow it had all come together. Sit in awe of Jesus, come to earth.

I’m a bit older now, a bit more prepared, a bit more practiced. It’s Christmas eve morning. The presents have been wrapped for two weeks, the house is clean, the treats all baked. My oldest son will here tonight (and probably will refuse pictures around the tree). I’m on staff at a church now, so I get to be an active participant in our Christmas Eve services, rather than listening to a catholic tradition on the tv. I still feel anticipation, appreciation, and awe.

I’m taking a few moments before the busyness of the day kicks in. I read the Christmas story in Luke. I have some music on. I find myself getting lost in these lyrics from Bethel Music:

What can I do for You

What can I bring to You

What kind of song would You like me to sing

‘Cause I’ll dance a dance for You

Pour out my love to You

What can I do for You, beautiful King

 

‘Cause I can’t thank You enough

‘Cause I can’t thank You enough

I’m filled with anticipation for the services tonight, for the day with family and friends tomorrow, for the plans He has for me in the New Year. The lyrics though remind me to sit in worship of Him. To find that stillness now, to focus on the peace and joy that was brought to earth all those years ago, to focus on gratitude for Him. I can’t even find all the right words to say thank you. I feel like I need to do something to show my love, my faith. I need to be better, be stronger, share my faith more. A bit of anxiety starts to mix in with the anticipation. And then rest of the lyrics just get me. He takes me to that still place with Him:

Then I hear you saying to me

Listen, you don’t have to do a thing

Just simply be with me

and let those things go

‘Cause they can wait another minute

Wait, this moment is too sweet

Would you please stay here, here with me

And love on me a little longer

 

I hear you saying

You don’t have to do a thing

Just simply be with me

and let those things go

‘Cause they can wait another minute

Wait, this moment is too sweet

Would you please stay here, here with me

And love on me a little longer

 

’cause I like to be with you a little longer

I’m letting go and sitting in the stillness with Him.

Merry Christmas, my friends.

**lyrics from Bethel Music, “A Little Longer”