This is part I of a two-part series to be posted on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2019.

It’s finally here.

Months of anticipation culminate into one final day – Christmas Eve.

Nerves tingle with excitement, hearts warm in the presence of loved ones and it’s really the only day of the year that people are genuinely happy waiting for something.

It’s a day full of waiting – a holiday simply because of the day that follows. Much of the delight we experience on Christmas Eve originates from reuniting with loved ones, time off from school or work, or at the thought of receiving a special gift.

I’d barely sleep on Christmas Eve as a kid. A blissful level of excitement would radiate through me as I entertained the thought of opening up presents the next morning.

There’s one Christmas Eve in particular that stands out. I couldn’t sleep as usual, so I cracked my brother’s door open to see if he was asleep. Much to my joy, he was playing his Nintendo 64. I joined him and we ended up playing most of the night, talking about Christmas. It’s one of my favorite memories growing up.

But even with how good presents and family time are, I’ve begun to learn that those things don’t last. I remember feeling a sort of “Christmas hangover” every year on December 26^th. The day I had waited 365 days for came and went in the blink of an eye. When I began walking with Jesus, however, everything changed.

It’s probably not a mystery to you that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. I think to many, it’s an inconvenient historical fact disguised by the fun, mythological creature of Santa Claus. Yet, to the people in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas all those years ago, the rumblings of the birth of this child came with great wonder and joy, much like we experience every Christmas Eve.

For centuries, the God of Israel who separated Himself from the pagan gods of the surrounding nations with miracles like the exodus of His Jewish people from Egyptian captivity among many other examples, spoke through appointed messengers of His words, or prophets. These prophets carried a variety of messages depending on the historical context, but most also spoke of a messiah by whom all peoples would be blessed.

As the centuries went on, God continued to reveal more information about this messiah. He would be a descendant of David, be born in Bethlehem yet grow up as a Nazarene and be born of a virgin – an impossibility apart from a supernatural conception. This phenomenon led to the understanding of one of the messiah’s names, Immanuel, “meaning God with us.” Through this messiah, God would literally be with mankind, walking among them.

As a nation that was in a cycle of exile and oppression from world powers like Egypt, Assyria and Babylon, many in Israel viewed this messiah to be some sort of political superhero. A king who would not falter like the others. A king whose glory would greatly surpass even that of the legend, King David.

That was a bit elementary for the God of the universe. He had a much bigger plan. This messiah would offer man redemption from the curse of sin and death that entered the world through Adam and Eve. His purpose on earth was to suffer and die in our place, paying the price for the sins of the world. After dying, He would rise again and reign forever in an eternal kingdom with those who received His forgiveness eventually bringing them into His dwelling place.

Much like men and women in our time, people in the ancient world were looking for hope. Circumstances looked different but the needs of the heart were the same. Modern archaeological pursuits have uncovered the decayed remains of hand-made “gods” millions of people looked to for purpose, direction and peace. Still, others patiently awaited the messiah that the God they could not see promised would come. The one they knew would accomplish their most pressing need – forgiveness.

I can only imagine the exhilaration the wise men felt as they looked up and saw the star above that stable in Bethlehem. What must the shepherds who encountered angels have felt as they made their way to find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger? Or those who studied the words of the prophets diligently each day, seeking God. Was this really it? Has He really come?

These people were waiting for the gift of all gifts, the very reason we give presents to our loved ones each Christmas morning. Yet unlike those presents, this gift would be of eternal significance.

Christmas Eve has always been a day of waiting. When the waiting is over, though, what will remain? Temporary happiness, or eternal joy that can be celebrated everyday of the year? Thanks be to God that it is the latter through the fulfilment of His word and the birth of His messiah, Jesus!

Prophecy of the messiah:

Isaiah 7:14 – Born of a virgin, Immanuel

Micah 5:2 – Born in Bethlehem

Jeremiah 31:15 – Birth would result in weeping in Ramah

Hosea 11:1 – God’s son would be called out of Egypt

2 Samuel 7: 12-16 – Descendant of David

Psalm 22:6, Isaiah 49:7, 53:3, Daniel 9:26 – Hated by the world, called a Nazarene

Isaiah 53: 4-6 – Crushed for our iniquities

Luke 9:22 – Suffer, die, rise again in three days