More about that in a minute. First, let's talk Christmas Eve.

Try to be in church somewhere. Going to church on Christmas Eve is just the thing to put Christ at the heart of your Christmas. And you will find that you can get members of your family to church that won't go at any other time!

The Spirit can do a work in the light of those candles that makes a difference in our lives.

Our services are 6:00 p.m. at Eastern Hills, and 7:30 p.m. at St. Matthew. I hope you will be in worship somewhere on Christmas Eve.

We did it last Saturday night, and I told you that would be it. See it then, or not at all.

I didn't fib.

I just changed my mind.

Hey, we worked so hard on that set!

Sixty 2 by 4's in that thing. You could build a small house with that! It fills the whole front of the sanctuary.

And I think it's beautiful.

I love what we're doing with the great story, because we simply let Luke's glorious narrative come to life visually.

It's the kind of thing that makes people say, "I never knew that was in the Bible."

I really would like for you to see this. I don't usually push this hard, you know, but this event is important to me because I have wanted to do this for such a long time.

And why haven't we done it before?

Because we couldn't get that set built!!!

Did I tell you it took sixty 2 by 4's?

Let me remind you, as I do every Christmas, not to look for the perfect Christmas. Life isn't perfect. Christmas won't be either.

And if you have lost someone this year, or someone you love can't come home this year, don't let this ruin the season for you.

The message of Christmas is this: Christ has come to us right where we are. So wherever you are, receive the Lord there -- even if it' right in the midst of sorrow.

Remember: Nativity Play and Christmas Eve worship somewhere.

Merry Christmas -- and God bless!