Traveling the Advent Journey: Taking the Final Step

       We’ve made it. We’ve reached the end of our Advent journey.
       But where do we find ourselves this Christmas Eve?
       Are we with the shepherds out in the fields, minding our own business, waiting for the night to end? When the glory of the Lord bursts in around us here tonight, will we see it? Or will we be too terrified?
       Or has our journey led us—along with the shepherds—to Bethlehem? And once there, will we dare to take the final step that will bring us face to face with the Christ whose coming we have awaited?

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       Or is this destination not what we expected, and so we’re tempted to turn back—one step short of our journey’s completion?
       In the darkness and stillness of this night, may we take the final step of our journey as we took the first step—in faith.
       May we approach the unlikely destination of a manger, escorted by an unlikely company of shepherds. And may we do so believing that there we will experience the most unlikely wonder of all—God’s breaking into our world.
                                                                       Luke 2:1-20
O God, who has guided us throughout this journey, lead us now to take the final step. Calm our fears, and embolden our hearts. We are the unlikely recipients of your grace. Help us to respond to that grace tonight as we welcome your son into the world. We pray in the name of the Christ who comes. Amen.
                                                                                                                      KP