‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: The Jesus Edition

Ah, Christmas Eve—a magical time filled with last-minute shopping, wrapping paper chaos, and a fridge stuffed with ingredients you promised would turn into a “Pinterest-worthy” holiday spread. But let’s not forget, amidst all the eggnog and Amazon boxes, the real reason for the season: Jesus’ birthday.

Let’s rewind about 2,000 years ago. Picture this: A humble stable in Bethlehem. Mary, exhausted but glowing (and possibly questioning why she agreed to this road trip so late in her third trimester), is settling into her makeshift maternity suite. Joseph is frantically Googling “how to assemble a manger” on his stone tablet. Meanwhile, animals are casually photobombing the scene. The original Nativity, folks—raw, unfiltered, and free from Instagram filters.

Fast forward to today, where we celebrate this momentous occasion by…overspending on electronics and arguing over who forgot to buy the marshmallows for the sweet potatoes. What would Jesus think of all this? Probably that we need a little perspective.

Let’s talk Christmas Eve traditions:

1. The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service:
   You dress the kids up, bribe them with candy canes, and pray no one sets their hair on fire. It’s a beautiful reminder of the light Jesus brought into the world—and a lesson in patience when your toddler belts out “Let It Go” during “Silent Night.”
2. Santa’s Cookies and Milk:
   We leave out snacks for Santa, but let’s give a nod to Jesus, the OG reason for the feast. Maybe a loaf of homemade bread or some fish sticks? Too much? Okay, cookies it is.
3. The Christmas Story:
   Reading Luke 2 aloud is a must. Sure, you might have to pause to explain words like “swaddling” and “manger” to a roomful of 21st-century kids, but it’s worth it. Bonus points if you make them act it out. Yes, your dog can totally play a sheep.
4. The Gift Wrapping Marathon:
   Remember how the Wise Men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Joseph probably didn’t roll his eyes and mutter, “Great, more myrrh. Just what we needed.” Take a lesson from them—your gifts don’t have to be perfect, just given with love.
5. The Midnight Snack Debate:
   At some point, someone will bring out a cheese ball or leftover pie, declaring it’s a “holiday tradition.” It’s fine—Jesus turned water into wine, so I’m pretty sure He’d approve of impromptu feasts.

The Big Picture:
Christmas Eve is hectic, messy, and often filled with chaos—but it’s also beautiful. It’s about family, friends, and faith. As you gather around your tree tonight, remember that tiny stable in Bethlehem and the gift that outshines anything Amazon Prime could deliver: the gift of love, hope, and salvation.

So light your candles, sing your carols, and don’t stress about the burnt sugar cookies. After all, the first Christmas wasn’t about perfection—it was about the perfect gift.

Merry Christmas, and may your celebrations be as joyful and unexpected as shepherds meeting angels!