This is my favorite day of the year. It always has been.

Christmas Eve as I was growing up was a day my father’s business always closed down. It was one of the few days of the year other than Sundays when my dad didn’t work. It was a whole day we all devoted to our own family and also to the families of others. We visited extended family, gave gifts to customers, workers, and friends.

We followed the same routine every Christmas Eve, even down to the order in which we did things. Kids love tradition, and I certainly loved our tradition.We ended the day with our best friends. The parents ate and talked and the four boys ate (a lot) and usually enjoyed fireworks outside (I called it “shooting fireworks and actually I still do :).

While all of those things are what meant so much to me in the past, these are not the reasons I love Christmas Eve today.

I love the anticipation of Christmas Eve. It means that Christmas is coming. It means that once again we emphasize God’s great work of hope and deliverance.

I love spending time with family and visiting with special friends. There is a great line in “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” that speaks of spending time with “Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more.” That means so much to me, and I thank God for friends who are dear to us.

I love worshiping with the family of God. We didn’t have Christmas Eve worship services where I grew up, but I love them now and love beginning Christmas with worship with the people of God.

I love Christmas Eve because it points us again to what matters. It points us to God’s work.

I thank God for you and for this day.

May God bless you and yours as we emphasize His blessings and goodness.