Last year on this date, I posted this post about what Christmas Eve, 2020 means. Now, one year later, I’m reflecting on my thoughts then by noting all that God has done in the past year. Below, I’ve posted the original post with some PERSONAL UPDATES (in CAPS) to honor God for what He’s done. I hope these reports are encouraging to you on Christmas Eve, 2021.
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It’s Christmas Eve. Scholars debate the actual date of Jesus’ birth, but the truth of this event is not dependent on its date. On this night centuries ago, God was about to enter the world in flesh. Everything was about to change; hope was just around the corner.
Just around the corner.
Within hours.
God would make Himself known at just the right time.
I need that reminder today. I need to know that in any area of my life, God’s response to my prayers and dreams might be just hours away. It might be an “eve” in other ways:
Perhaps . . .
- God will save my unbelieving loved ones within days. ACTUALLY, IT TOOK A FEW MONTHS, BUT GOD DID SAVE MY MOM IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR! AT AGE 79!
- I’ll get word tomorrow that He’s raised up a missionary to engage that people group for whom I’ve been praying. I HAVEN’T RECEIVED THIS WORD YET, BUT IT’S ANOTHER “EVE” TODAY. I’LL JUST KEEP TRUSTING.
- He’ll unexpectedly answer that one vocational question I’ve been asking for years. HE DID GIVE ME SOME CLEAR DIRECTIONS BY STRONGLY CONFIRMING MY CALLING.
- He’ll powerfully heal the marriage of a couple for whom I’ve been interceding. I CAN’T EXPLAIN WHAT MIRACLES HE HAS WORKED HERE. HE HAS PUT BACK TOGETHER A HOME IN TURMOIL A YEAR AGO.
- He’ll soon fall on our church in such power that others hear what’s happening in Wake Forest, North Carolina. ON JANUARY 1, OUR NEW PASTOR BEGINS HIS MINISTRY – AND HE’LL BE LEADING A CHURCH THAT HAS SENSED GOD’S PRESENCE IN A POWERFUL WAY THIS YEAR.
- He’s just about to free my friend from drug addictions that seem to be pulling him deeper and deeper into bondage. MY FRIEND’S NOT THERE YET, SO I’M INCREASING MY PRAYING.
- God’s working in such a way that even now my friend’s wayward son is running home again. HE’S NOT RUNNING HOME YET . . . AT LEAST AS FAR AS I KNOW. HE COULD BE COMING UP THE DRIVEWAY ANY DAY, THOUGH. I BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE I’VE SEEN GOD COME THROUGH IN OTHER LIVES.
- He’s about to surprisingly bring revival to a struggling and fighting church I love. THE CHURCH IS STILL STRUGGLING, BUT I’VE SEEN GLIMPSES OF HOPE.
- The Healer is preparing to mend the body of a friend who’s facing cancer. MY FRIEND IS STILL DEALING WITH TREATMENTS, BUT HE’S DOING WELL. MORE THAN THAT, HE’S MODELED FAITH FOR ME IN THE MIDST OF HIS PHYSICAL STRUGGLES.
- I’ll wake up tomorrow with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose. WHEN I SEE ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE OVER THE PAST YEAR, EVERY NIGHT IS AN “EVE” FILLED WITH HOPE.
Perhaps . . . just maybe . . . joy will come in the morning (Psa 30:5).
Christmas Eve reminds me to press on, to keep believing, to cling to hope, to always look forward. God’s answer might be just around the corner.
