It’s Christmas Eve! You might have a tree lit, decorations out, and a festive music playlist going in the background. Maybe you have traditions, decorations, gifts, and an entire Pinterest board worth of ideas for what Christmas should look like. Or, this could be a difficult time of year, whether it’s from the darkness, cold, isolation, loss or just something heavy this season. Whatever novelty, distraction, or burden you’re carrying right now, what if it could be stripped away?  

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If we could remove the busyness, the tasks, and everything that doesn’t last – maybe, just maybe, we could begin to hear the echoes of what this season is really about. Christmas is a promise coming to fruition; it’s the arrival of salvation for man; it’s something miraculous. Follow me for a moment, as we look at the reason we have for a joy that lasts, not just for a season, but for eternity.

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What’s happening in today’s Scripture is the unfolding of a promise foretold long ago. In the verses leading up, we read about a man named Simeon who had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Savior whom he knew was to come. The text even says the Holy Spirit divinely revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before seeing the Messiah. And on this day, Simeon was led by the Spirit into the temple, where he would find this promise fulfilled. Simeon looked upon Jesus and held him in his arms. His life was complete – He declared that he had now seen God bringing salvation, which had been prepared for all people. And what we read next is today’s verse: “Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.”  

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As I read this, I couldn’t even fathom what it must have been like to be present in this moment. It seems apparent that Mary and Joseph knew what was going on. Yet I’m not sure anyone could fully comprehend the magnitude of what was taking place in their midst. The Savior of the world, a covenant made generations ago, was here – a miracle had taken place, yet was still unfolding. Have you ever had a moment like that – where you knew what was going on, and yet it wasn’t until some point later on that you understood the gravity or implications of what was occurring?  

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Time and again, God gives us a front row seat to him moving. In fact, I believe that he wants us to see him moving in every part of our lives. Because God wants to restore all things through Jesus, there is not a moment that goes by that he doesn’t want to use. If you don’t see it now, know that you can lean in. God wants to speak to you and wants to continue revealing himself to you. He’s not distant, far off, or impersonal. Just like in Jerusalem where everyone in the room was in awe, Jesus is present, and he wants a level of closeness with you unlike anything you’ve ever known. God fulfilled his promises then, and he stays true to them now.

God is alive - full of love, grace, and mercy. He is at work right now! The question is: What will you do with a front row seat to watch him move? Whether you have a busy day of festivities ahead of you or nothing planned at all, set aside some time to celebrate one-on-one with Jesus what this season is all about. And if you aren’t following him yet, ask Jesus to show you who he is. Ask him to step in and make himself known. I promise you that Jesus loves you, and he desires a relationship. 2,000 years ago, the Living God came to Earth on a rescue mission because he loves you and values you that much.