Christmas Eve--A Bethlehem Night

December 24

 Eve of the Nativity of Christ

Read Luke 2:1 – 7

On the day before Christmas we welcome the dark because it tells us that Christmas Day is here. According to the Old Testament way of marking the day, it began at sunset, and so our celebration begins in the evening. Now is the promise fulfilled.

‘Silent Night! Holy Night!’ combines both the hushed awe and the incandescent joy that the gift of the Christ Child generates. Sing it now as you kneel before your Lord.

Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight, 

Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!

Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

For the Family:

A silhouette of Bethlehem reminds us of the humble village, the ‘city of bread’, where the very Bread of Life was born. Hang the symbol on your Tree of Promise and give thanks for the promise of the Savior both made and kept.

Bible Journaling:

Christmas Eve

Luke 2

A Bethlehem Night

Bible Journaling 
Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

You will be busy today, so skip the baking. Take a loaf of Kolach and a loaf of Pulla out of the freezer so they will be thawed for tomorrow. Then start the raw cranberry salad for tomorrow. It is easy and quick, but needs to be started today so it can sit for 24 hours before the final assembly.

Raw Cranberry Salad

1 bag raw cranberries, washed and picked over

1 cup sugar

1 cup red grapes, cut in half, seeded

1 cup pecan pieces

1 cup whipping cream

• Pulse cranberries and sugar together in food processor until cranberries are chopped, but not pureed.
• Refrigerate 12 to 24 hours
• Drain cranberries (can save juice for drinking, warning, high in sugar)
• Add grapes, nuts, and cream

Now fix a plate of cookies and a cup of hot tea and just sit down for a bit. Some might want a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of egg nog, that’s fine. Cookies go with anything. Here’s one hot drink that Karen fixed for us the year we spent New Year’s in California. 

Hot Chocolate Plus

Put equal portions of chocolate milk and egg nog 
in the crock pot and let heat during the day. 

You can sip at it when you get home from church.

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Hartwig