Christmas Eve 2012 was nearly two years to the date since he had returned from the Afghanistan frontlines. Craig had been in an unexpected war with himself ever since.
PTSD – four letters that fettered him to the past. A deeply inner trauma – invisible to unsuspecting eyes.
He accepted his wife’s invitation to attend a candlelight church service in faint hope that something good might come of it. I remember that night.
White Flag On Christmas Eve
The celebration began.
During the course of the evening, a light shone brightly on a singer. Her voice was uplifting. But it was her story of faith that restored a soldier’s broken heart.
Craig went against what he had been trained to do.
He took a knee.
Raised his white flag.
Surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and won the war.
“On earth peace, good will toward men.”
Peace – the elusive gift Craig wished for was now his.
I stay in touch with Craig and his family. We often reflect on that night, oh so bright.
Opportunities on Christmas Eve
You know someone like Craig. Someone who could use a personal invitation to hope.
Opportunity is knocking…loudly. In the weeks before Christmas, Jesus will be placed front and centre.
No matter what the age group is around you, or whether people consider themselves to be religious or not, there are quite a few really who are ready at this time of year to learn about Jesus.
Just like Craig, that friend or family member of yours is far more likely to attend a Christmas service with you than any other time of the year.
Thom Rainer, president of Lifeway Research, enthuses, “If there is a given day where more de-churched or un-churched are likely to attend church, it would be on Christmas Eve.”
Good News
The good news of Jesus brilliantly shines through darkness. By living the life we couldn’t live and dying the death we deserve to die, Jesus gives those struggling with inner trauma the gift of God’s love.
That’s news worth sharing.
So go ahead and invite someone to your church on Christmas Eve. Your friends will say ‘no’ to 100% of the invitations that you don’t extend.
Your odds can only go up.
Four Words Forward
Feeling nervous about speaking up? There are four words to remember this Christmas season as you step out and give the gift of hope.
They’re the same four words that Jesus used to put boldness in the backbone of his original disciples: “I am with you.” Matthew 28:20
That’s the means by which you can lovingly share hope with people like Craig.
What are you doing this Christmas Eve? Please leave a comment below. Thank you and a vert Merry Christmas to you from Jocelyn and I.
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Good Morning Pastor Bob. It’s been a cold weekend & it looks like we are going to be in the “deep freeze” all week. I’m just glad I have a reprieve until Wednesday from shovelling. Enough is enough. LOL! There are huge snow piles on both sides of my driveway, from shovelling & I still do it “armstrong” style. No snow machines here. But, it’s OK…at 64, I can still do it. It’s good exercise. I kind of like it…I’m out there…while everyone is still asleep. It’s my time to be in my own thoughts…& all I hear is my shovel…scraping through the snow, powered by me. I have even prayed at that time. It’s peaceful & almost meditative. But, the 6’ pile of snow on the right side of my driveway…is proof of all the shovelling that I did this past weekend. I will be going to two churches for Christmas Eve services. NP offers so many different days & services…so convenient…so, I can make it to a friend’s church on Christmas Eve. I did the same thing last year. Plus, I don’t have to cook Christmas Dinner this year. It is my brother’s turn. It always tastes better…when I don’t have to cook it. LOL! Although, I still do a lot of baking…my brothers don’t do that. So, my brother always gets a Host gift…full of Homemade Baked Treats & Snacks. Looking forward to Christmas Dinner with my family. Our parents have passed away…so, it’s just my 2 big brothers & me…& our children now.
Wishing you & yours a Merry Christmas &. A Happy New Year full of Health, Happiness, & Prosperity for 2026! ❤️
I’ll think of you when it snows again. Early morning. Maybe like today. This December it seems like it snowed everyday. Shovelling is a good workout. Merry Christmas to you, Julie!
In the season of the smallest amount of light, there still is Hope. It reminds me of John 1:5 which says, “ the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.“
God is still in control. He still has his hand on this world. He still is interested in my life, he still loves his people.
I am halfway through season five of The Chosen. I am reminded that there are parallels between that time when Jesus was executed and today. Still, God knew what was coming, as he knows what is coming for us in this present age, and he has a plan and a purpose, even when we don’t understand it.
I am encouraged with the solstice, knowing I have more daylight today than yesterday, albeit seconds more ; I’ll take what I can get. Small amounts of hope every day. I’m paying attention.
Praise be to God. For he is still able to do more than I can ask or imagine.
I love this, Adena. Small amounts of hope every day. Here’s to a brighter future in Canada and in the Church.