Christmas Eve

Midweek Meditation with Pastor Edith
December 24, 2025
Matthew 1:18-21, Luke 2:1-7

I am currently listening to a CD by Michael Card “The Promise – A celebration of Christ’s birth” while my sweet husband sits near me listening as well. What a peaceful, lovely moment.

I have been debating how to post a worthy midweek meditation as this is indeed Christmas Eve and my mind is swirling around with thoughts of our evening candle light service which starts at 7:00 at Hursttown Church; 658 Sky Aire Rd. Corydon IN 47112. (I couldn’t help myself).

My morning began with gentle hugs and a prayer by my dear husband who simply prayed; “Thank you Lord, it’s because of you that a weary world rejoices – Amen”, perfect, don’t you think?

After devotions, a delicious omelet breakfast, dishes and general housekeeping, I’ve settled now to share a simple Christmas meditation from my heart to yours. The Christmas hymn “O Holy Night” has in the first verse; “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, til He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope-the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!”.

Matthew records the birth of Christ with the telling of a betrothed couple; Mary and Joseph who are facing and unplanned Holy Spirit pregnancy and how Joseph decides to divorce her quietly, so as not to bring immediate disgrace to his sweet Mary. Then an angel appears to Joseph and tells him to become Mary’s husband and a daddy to her son who will be named “Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins”. This is where I hear Michael Card singing; “Father, show me how I fit into this plan of yours. How can a man be father to the Son of God?”.

Luke Tells the story of how and why Joseph and Mary had to journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus would be born. Because there was no room for them anywhere else, Mary gave birth in a stable and laid her newborn son in a manger. (fun side thought from a friend; The manger was the first King Sized bed). In the second verse of “O Holy Night” these words appear; “The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, in all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need-to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!”.

For any of you reading this who may feel less than Holly or Jolly this season, I want you to consider how mankind tends to make things` difficult when all God wants us to know is that He loves us, He loves you. So great is His love that he sent His son to bear our sins and as we celebrate His birth, God wants us to celebrate His coming again. It may feel like too long a wait, and it may feel anything but calm and bright, but hold on. Read again the Christmas story found in and after our scripture texts today. Pray for God’s simple message to touch you and bring you His peace, tears are ok too. My father used to say that “tears clean the windows of your soul”.

AMEN! Pray On! And God’s peace to you this Christmas Eve!