When my kiddos were little, my husband, Ken, and I created a Christmas Eve tradition that became something I looked forward to every year. After we’d set out the plate of cookies and glass of milk, and tucked our kidlets into their beds, we would make sure that everything was completely set up and ready around the tree. We would turn off all the lights except the tree lights, sit on the sofa and listen to a song by Mannheim Steamroller called, “Stille Nacht”.

Quietly watching the lights on the tree and listening to the gentle orchestration of the beloved Christmas carol, Silent Night, remembering and resting, breathing in the peace and stillness of those moments. Knowing soon the morning would come. The kids would wake up early without any prompting eagerly waiting for their grandparents to show up so we could have breakfast and open gifts.

Those moments were priceless. All the work to get to that point was worth it. The anticipation of the celebration we would have together…just hours away. And I wonder, as Joseph and Mary made their way to Bethlehem and all of heaven awaited the moment of Jesus’ birth, in the still of the night, lit only by the stars in the sky….was there an anticipation in God’s heart…for the greatest gift ever given…about to arrive and change the world forever?!

Luke 2:8-14 (NLT) tells us, “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”