Christmas Eve

"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. 

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:67-79).   So said Zechariah, father of John the Baptist and filled with the Holy Spirit.

It’s the day and night before Christmas, and Zechariah speaks to us.  Like John the Baptist, we must prepare Jesus’ way.  We must remember to forgive people their sins such as those against us.   We must seek peace with our neighbors and within our families.

Most important, as we wait for the birth of Jesus, we must worship God without fear and must try to be holy and righteous within God’s sight all the days of our lives.   In these ways we will not dwell in darkness or in the shadow of death.

Tonight our trees will be lit, in hopes that St. Nick will soon appear.   Down our chimneys he will come bringing the gift of the Christ-child we all hope for evicenced by our many creches set above the mantle and our many stockings hung with care.

Deacon David Pierce