Christmas Eve

My friend Chris Hearn wrote recently, "Advent is a time of preparation, but perhaps since we are saved by grace, we don’t see the need to prepare for the Lord."  If we have Him already, what are we preparing for?  We're preparing to hear from Him, to celebrate that He is here, and that we expect Him again.  Chris explains, "it has everything to do with relationship."   
Another friend, Steve Collins, posted this the same week: 

So, what's so special about these shepherds? Why did they get the angelic announcement? I submit that they were the only ones ready to receive it. While everyone else was caught up in the chaos and crowds of Bethlehem, these guys were watching and listening. Who knows? Maybe the angel tried to tell others in the city, but they were too busy to hear. And that's too bad, because they missed out on quite a party.

This is what I love about Christmas Eve.  It's what we've been preparing for.  It's the time we're quiet enough to receive Him.  It's when everything else stops.  

I hope you found some quiet moments this season.  And that you'll have more of them throughout the year.