Growing up, Christmas day was a big event, but in many ways, Christmas Eve was even bigger for us. While the actually holiday was spent at my Grandparents, on Christmas Eve my Mom would prepare a Roast Beef meal and our family would prepare to go to our church for Candlelight services. Singing silent night in our church to the glow of candlelight remains one of my favorite childhood memories. In that moment I always felt the true spirit of Christmas was present. 

Like many times around the Holidays, I find myself wishing that we could stop and just live in those moments a little longer. As you look around at a group of people singing in candlelight, it's hard to believe that we live in a world that isn't as peaceful as that quiet moment suggests. 

I first heard Point of Grace's song "Not That Far From Bethlehem" after my Mom bought their album in 1999 and we later heard them at an Amy Grant Christmas Concert we attended. For some reason, this song made me feel similar to the way I did during those Christmas Eve services, and how we are all connected in the power of love and the ability to make the world a little better. 

Let us celebrate 

As the Christmas's go by 

Learn to live our days 

With our hearts near to the child 

Ever drawn, ever close 

To the only love that lasts 

And though 2000 years have passed 

  We're not that far from Bethlehem 

Where all our hope and joy began 

For when our hearts still cherish Him 

We're not that far We're not that far from Bethlehem 

While life evolves and changes, and those Christmas Eve services are just a distant memory now, our family traditions still remain. This year, as we sit down to a roast beef dinner prepared by Mom and celebrate another year together, I'm sure that we are all just as close to Bethlehem as we ever have been. May that love be with you and yours as well. Merry Christmas Eve!

POINT OF GRACE - NOT THAT FAR FROM BETHLEHEM

http://youtu.be/K9cs1oexZLk