Thursday brings the most anticipated holiday of the year: Christmas.
It is amazing the power this day has over individuals and cultures. You have observed, and probably participated in, recent weeks' frenzy of activities.
You have witnessed shopping sprees, dinners and parties, Christmas carols sung by groups and individuals, and homes and businesses being decorated.
You have observed the increase of generosity as Christmas Day approaches, along with donations to special funds, to food kitchens and clothing banks, and to families and persons in need. The power of one day.
There is an attempt to make each Christmas season more special than the last. There is a passion to spread joy, happiness, and good cheer. There is a desire to see children smile with delight.
All this because of a little baby born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. Remembering this baby's birth has great power — so much that it brought World War I to a standstill in many places along the front.
Remembering this baby's birth has so much power that sworn enemies have been able to reconcile their differences, broken relationships have been healed and loneliness has been replaced by a sense of belonging.
This year, as in previous years, many people will attend one of numerous Christmas Eve worship services. They will take a moment to pause and reflect on the meaning of this baby’s birth before continuing with the frenzy of gift exchanges on Christmas Day.
Let me encourage you to not be so carried away in the whirlwind of activity on Christmas Day that you forget the message you heard in worship on Christmas Eve.
Remember the power of one day.
Who is this tiny baby born in Bethlehem? Christ, the Lord.
Merry Christmas!
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s pastor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: PULPIT: Consider the power of Christmas