This past Sunday morning our family enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the Candlelight Christmas service at Cedarcrest Church. We haven’t been able to do this in a few years as we are normally travelling a good bit the few days before Christmas. However, this year our first family Christmas wasn’t to start until Sunday afternoon, so we were all set. The Christmas Candlelight service started at 11am and all of the kids were invited to come. We got to church early as Clint was serving as a deacon. Emma and I found our seats and got ready for a fun and special time of worship. Rather than sitting still by me, Emma was set on sitting by herself on the very front row so she could see what was going on. She was so well-behaved sitting on the front row like a girl much older than 4 years old…I didn’t bother her. At one point, she came and asked me a question during one of the songs. I asked her if she wanted to sit with me. She smiled at me and said “Mommy…I want to see up close.”
What a powerful reminder of what Christmas is all about. Our Pastor, George Wright, reminded us Sunday that “Christmas is truly the story of Christ coming down to the middle of our mess”. Christmas is the opportunity for us to “see up close” what love is all about. Christmas is the story of love coming down to meet the needs of a sinful and broken people. I am so grateful that God put a desire in the heart of my sweet Emma to “want to see up close.” I pray that will always be the desire of her heart!
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
by: Charles Wesley
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.