Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has always been my absolute favorite day of the year. It has always held magic for me from the time I was a little girl, and dreamed of what Santa would bring, right up until now.
The strange part of the magic for me, though, wasn't always Santa. Thinking back on my childhood, and remembering what it was about that night that holds so much magic, there are two things that immediately come to mind, neither of the them are Santa or presents.
The first thing that holds a very special place in my heart on Christmas Eve is the candle-lit singing of Silent Night. As a child growing up in a Lutheran church where many of the members still spoke German, it was a magical time at the end of the service when the lights went down, the candles were lit, and the congregation began to sing, in German. Although I never learned much of the language other than the words to O Tannunbaum one year for the Christmas pagent, there is something about those moments on Christmas Eve, in the dark that fill me with wonder and joy. In our big church, filled to overflowing, with people crammed in like sardines there was always a stillness and a silence when it came time to light the candles for this particular song. To this day, I am moved to tears and can't sing it.
The second thing that is always magical for me on that very special night is the Christmas snow. It seems that there are very few years that it doesn't snow on Christmas Eve, and that snow is always different some how. It's still and silent, and beautiful, more so than at any other time.
This year, there is a new memory for me. This year, I had the opportunity to serve during the Christmas Eve service. What a joy and a priviledge to do that! It was only the third time I have ever worn an alb, and it was such a thrill! I was able to be part of the processional, carrying the Gospel book, and was able to assist in other ways during the service. This all may seem a little mundane to those who have done it before, but to have Christmas Eve be the very first time you serve - WOW!
Standing in front of the congregation was an amazing experience. It left me wanting to do more, not only holding a book, or turning pages, or helping to set the communion table, but to be more of a part it all. I felt at home and comfortable, once I stopped shaking, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the service.
I have to admit, I was terribly nervous, I thought everyone could hear my knees banging together, and was terrified I would drop my candle, but it went well, and at the end, I felt so grateful to have been included, I felt so energized and wound up, I didn't sleep for many hours, not in anticipation of Santa and gifts, but with the gift that I had been already given. I was given an opportunity to 'try it out'. A small chance to see what my future Christmas Eves would look like. I thought that I would be unsure of taking this on, of turning in my family time for gowns, inscense, candles and a church full of strangers, but standing at the front, looking at all those strangers, all of a sudden, they weren't really strangers, they were all members of the family of Christ. They were my family. I won't be trading family time at all. I will be spending time with a bigger family than I could have imagined.
I am looking forward to the many oppportunities that are ahead this year and in the coming years to serve God, and His people.