“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
Luke 2:15,16 (NLT)

The last 24hrs have been a little crazy for me. I came home from a dinner with my parents and a friend of ours, and found that my stomach was a little off. Then the violent illness began. Food poisoning. On the night before Christmas Eve.

But like those Who’s down in Whoville discovered, I found that Christmas Eve came anyway. Sure, 24hrs ago I couldn’t have imagined making it through the set up and leading of two services (I tapped out before the third one!), but now I have done just that.

The day didn’t go as I had planned when I thought about it in the weeks leading up to tonight. But it went. The set up got done, the people gathered, the story was told in word and song and deed. And I like to think – I hope – that it touched the hearts of those who gathered at 44 Church St. E. this evening.

I like the Shepherd’s impulse: let’s go and see this thing that the Lord has told us about.  Because the Good News was too GOOD to miss. They had to go, they had to be there. Despite all that the night had taken out of them, they just had to BE THERE.

It was good to be with those of you who were at the 4pm and the 7:30pm services. I couldn’t stay away, and I’m so very glad I didn’t.

On this night, and on every night, may you know the Good News. May you experience what it is to BE THERE as God does something beautiful. May you come and see the Messiah, and may you be forever changed.