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What Christmas Eve Means

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It’s Christmas Eve. Scholars debate the actual date of Jesus’ birth, but the truth of this event is not dependent on its date. On this night centuries ago, God was about to enter the world in flesh. Everything was about to change; hope was just around the corner.

Just around the corner.

Within hours.

God would make Himself known at just the right time.

I need that reminder today. I need to know that in any area of my life, God’s response to my prayers and dreams might be just hours away. It might be an “eve” in other ways:

Perhaps . . .

  • God will save my unbelieving loved ones within days.
  • I’ll get word tomorrow that He’s raised up a missionary to engage that people group for whom I’ve been praying.
  • He’ll unexpectedly answer that one vocational question I’ve been asking for years.
  • He’ll powerfully heal the marriage of a couple for whom I’ve been interceding.
  • He’ll soon fall on our church in such power that others hear what’s happening in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
  • He’s just about to free my friend from drug addictions that seem to be pulling him deeper and deeper into bondage.
  • God’s working in such a way that even now my friend’s wayward son is running home again.
  • He’s about to surprisingly bring revival to a struggling and fighting church I love.
  • The Healer is preparing to mend the body of a friend who’s facing cancer.
  • I’ll wake up tomorrow with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose.

Perhaps . . . just maybe . . . joy will come in the morning (Psa 30:5).

Christmas Eve reminds me to press on, to keep believing, to cling to hope, to always look forward. God’s answer might be just around the corner.


Editor’s note: This post was originally published at chucklawless.com


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MDiv Preaching and Pastoral Ministry

The Preaching and Pastoral Ministry track prepares students for pastoral ministry in the local church with a special emphasis on expository preaching.

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Chuck Lawless

Director of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership

Dr. Lawless currently serves as Senior Professor of Evangelism and Missions, Dean of Doctoral Studies, and Vice-President for Spiritual Formation at Southeastern Seminary, where he holds the Richard & Gina Headrick Chair of World Missions. In addition, he serves as Team Leader for Theological Education Strategists for the International Mission Board. Dr. Lawless served as pastor of two Ohio churches prior to joining the faculty of Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, in 1996. He received a B.S. degree from Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands) and M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southern Seminary. He is the author or editor of twelve works, and he has contributed several chapters to other resources. He and his wife, Pam, have been married for more than 30 years, and they reside in Wake Forest with their Aussie Shepherd, Max.

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