I’ll be honest…I was worried about the weather.

Pastors don’t like to hear “winter storm warning” on Christmas Eve.  The musicians are ready, the candles for candlelight are piled in boxes to be handed out, the sermon is good to go…but what if nobody comes?  What if the heavy snow keeps people at home this year?  What if we throw a birthday party for Jesus and nobody shows?

And then they started to arrive…and they kept coming…hundreds…and kept coming…over a thousand…and kept coming…over 1,400+…

What snow?

The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, and enlightens the people of God…even in the storm.

Here are a few memories of the Spirit’s work on Christmas Eve at St. Luke:

-Lots of hugs in the entryway between old friends

-Tears in the eyes of worshipers during their favorite carols; eyes closed during “Silent Night.”

-Laughter during worship.  What a gift from God to be able to laugh together!

-Great music - soloists, band, choir, piano - all praising God and celebrating Christ’s birth.

-Candlelight reminding us that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

After all was said and done, I sat (collapsed into my chair, really) at my desk at midnight…some 1425 people and six services later.  I smiled to myself, and then I prayed, “God, you are amazing.”

I sensed God saying back to me, “…and you though nobody would come.”

Then I went out to my car in the heavily falling snow and went home, “glorifying and praising God for all the things I had heard and seen.”