“What if Christmas,” the Grinch wondered, “didn’t come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?”

After the joy and celebration found in 33 Christmas Eve services held across all our campuses, with candles lifted, voices raised, and prayers whispered, I have found myself returning to that simple question asked by the Grinch.

Don’t get me wrong. Gifts are good! The laughter around the tree, wrapping paper scattered across the living room, the smiles and shouts of delight that light up a room, those are real joys and they certainly matter. Yet, Christmas Day gently invites us to remember that the greatest gift wasn’t wrapped in paper and placed under a tree.

It was placed in a manger.

Church family, today is Christmas Day. On this day, we celebrate the breathtakingly beautiful truth at the heart of our faith: God came near. Emmanuel, God with us. Not distant. Not detached. With us in our joy and our weariness. With us in the quiet moments after the candles are extinguished and the sanctuaries grow still.

That is the gift that never fades.

So, today, whether your house is full or quiet, whether the table is crowded or simple, may you pause and receive again the wonder of Christmas. Christ is with us and that will always be more than enough.

Merry Christmas, friends!

— Mark