Angels appear to the shepherds

Christmas Eve: The Night Heaven Touches Earth

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Tonight, the world waits. We wait not just for presents, not just for family gatherings, but for a miracle that reshaped history. Christmas Eve is the doorway to an event so profound that it has inspired hope, art, and celebration for over two thousand years: the birth of Jesus Christ.

But what does this mean, especially for those of you who may not call yourselves Christians? Why does this one birth matter so much? Why do billions of people pause to reflect on this single moment?

Let’s take a step back and imagine a world without light—a world where night never ends. That’s how the ancient prophets described the human condition. The Bible says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2). These words, written centuries before Jesus’ birth, point to a promise: that light would come into our darkness, not just the darkness outside, but the confusion, fear, and emptiness we feel inside.

The Darkness Before the Light

The world, apart from Christ, is a place of deep darkness. This isn’t just a poetic way of describing the night sky or the struggles of ancient times; it’s a reality we all recognize. Every human heart senses that something is wrong with the world. We feel frustration over the injustice, pain, and death that seem woven into the fabric of existence. Wars rage, sickness destroys, relationships fracture, and the question echoes in every heart: Why? Why is there so much brokenness? And where can we find hope?
 
This longing for a world set right is universal. No matter your culture, beliefs, or background, we all struggle to reconcile the beauty of life with its deep sorrows. The Apostle Paul puts it this way: “The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22). The world groans, and so do we, longing for something—someone—to bring healing and purpose to the chaos.
 
Into this darkness, Christ shines His light. The birth of Jesus is not just the arrival of a child; it is the entry of God Himself into our pain, our fear, and our longing. St. Gregory of Nyssa, in a homily on the Nativity, beautifully says: “He comes in poverty, so that He might make us rich; He takes on the form of a servant, so that He might set us free; He descends, so that we may be lifted up.” The incarnation is God’s answer to the darkness. It is His act of love to heal the brokenness of the world.
 
This is why Christmas matters. It is the moment when heaven touches earth, when the Creator enters creation to restore what has been lost. As the Gospel of John proclaims, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). This is not just a story of long ago; it is the ongoing reality of God’s work in the world today.
 
In the Orthodox Church, we celebrate this victory over darkness in the hymns of Christmas. One such hymn reminds us:
“Your nativity, O Christ our God, Has shone to the world the light of wisdom! For by it, those who worshipped the stars Were taught by a star to adore You, The Sun of Righteousness, And to know You, the Orient from on high.”
This light of wisdom is not merely intellectual; it is the hope and love that Christ offers to all. In Him, we find the answer to the brokenness we feel, the purpose we seek, and the healing we desperately need.

He comes in poverty, so that He might make us rich; He takes on the form of a servant, so that He might set us free; He descends, so that we may be lifted up.

St. Gregory of Nyssa Tweet

A Hymn of Meditation

In the Orthodox Church, we celebrate this promise with hymns that help us meditate on the mystery of Christmas. One hymn says:

“What shall we offer You, O Christ,

Who for our sake has appeared on earth as a man?

Every creature offers You thanks:

The angels offer a hymn;

The heavens, a star;

The Magi, gifts;

The shepherds, their wonder;

The earth, its cave;

The wilderness, a manger.”

Think about that for a moment. Every part of creation offers something to the newborn Christ. Even the smallest, most humble elements of the world—a cave, a manger—become part of the story.
 
This invites us to ask: What can we, in our smallness and brokenness, offer?

The Mystery of God Becoming Man

Christmas isn’t just a story about a baby being born; it’s the story of God entering His own creation. Imagine an artist stepping into their painting to fix a mistake or a writer entering their novel to rescue their characters. That’s what Christians believe God did.
 
In the Gospel of John, we read, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The “Word” here refers to Jesus, who is described as the eternal wisdom and reason behind everything in existence. The Creator doesn’t stand far off, watching the mess of the world unfold. Instead, He steps into the story, becoming a fragile child born into poverty and obscurity.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

John 1:14 Tweet

Why would God do this?

St. Athanasius, an early Christian theologian, explained it this way: “God became man so that man might become God.” In other words, God entered our brokenness so that we could share in His life, His joy, and His love. This isn’t just a lofty idea; it’s a promise that the gap between us and God can be bridged. The incarnation means that our lives, no matter how messy or painful, can be redeemed.

Think of it like this: Imagine a billionaire giving up their mansion, their comfort, and their security to live among the homeless. Not as a publicity stunt, but out of genuine love and a desire to bring real change. This person wouldn’t just hand out money and leave; they would live the hardships, understand the struggles, and work to transform the community from the inside out.
 
That’s a faint picture of what God did in the incarnation. He didn’t come as a king or a celebrity. He came as a baby, born in a cave, laid in a feeding trough. He experienced hunger, rejection, and suffering. He knows what it’s like to be human—to laugh, to weep, to hope, to hurt.

An Invitation to Wonder

So, what does this mean for you tonight as you prepare for Christmas? Whether you believe in God or not, consider this: If the story of the incarnation is true, then it changes everything. It means that love, not power, is the strongest force in the universe. It means that even the darkest places in our lives can be filled with light. It means that you are deeply loved—so much so that God would enter into history for your sake.
 
As we sing in another hymn tonight:
“Today, the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, And the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One. Angels with shepherds glorify Him; The wise men journey with the star; Since for our sake the eternal God was born as a little child.”
This is not just a story for the religious; it’s a story for the whole world. It’s a story for you.

Christmas is not just a story for the "religious." Christmas is a story for YOU!

Scott Ross Tweet

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, we’ll celebrate the birth itself. But tonight, let’s pause and reflect on the mystery. What if this child in the manger really is the light the world has been waiting for? What if He’s the answer to the deepest questions of your heart?
 
And if you’re curious about how all of this fits together, I invite you to join me in exploring one of the greatest Christian writings on this subject: St. Athanasius’s On the Incarnation. It’s a work that has inspired countless people to see the profound meaning behind Christmas. Together, we’ll uncover why this event is still worth pondering, even in our modern, skeptical age.
 
So tonight, as you look at the lights on your tree or gaze at the stars above, remember: the true Light has come into the world.
 
And that Light shines for you.

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2 thoughts on “Christmas Eve: The Night Heaven Touches Earth”

  1. Blake Duncan

    Great article, Scott! It’s truly amazing how enlightened people were about his coming, the meaning behind it, and the profound impact it still has, today!

    Reply
  2. Sheila Scottross@mac.com

    Such a thorough and eloquent reminder of the historic event that changed everything for eternity!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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