Merry Christmas! You are most likely reading this article on Wednesday, December 24th, 2025! Which is, of course, Christmas Eve! How is your soul today? Is your home filled with the sound of relatives? Is your kitchen a mess? Are the presents under the tree? Or are you finding some time as you read this for peace and tranquility? Maybe it is just you this Christmas, or perhaps you are surrounded by beloved friends and kin. Whatever way you find yourself reading these words, please accept a hearty and joyous Merry Christmas from me and my family to you and yours.
Now, I don’t know what kind of year you have had or the particular details of all those who dare to read my weekly devotionals. But I do hope that as this day folds into December 25th, your souls will be filled with joyous memories and abiding love. And this sentiment leads me to ask you one final question of this Advent Season: where will you be worshipping this evening?
In our humble community of Fairfield and Freestone County, many churches offer spaces and moments to proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ. So many doors to sanctuaries will be open to all who wish to take a moment to embrace the whole meaning of this season. So, where will you attend? We must not neglect the sacred act of gathering in fellowship that Christ himself instituted! Even at the nativity scene, some came from afar (the Shepherds who left their flocks) to witness the Messiah’s entry and then go out into the region to share the message. We do not worship on this Eve of Christmastide because we must; we worship because it is a joy to do so! It is the accumulation of the season in reverent and exuberant praise, alongside our brothers and sisters of this community!
It matters not where you worship; the sign outside of the Holy edifice means little in the eyes of God. It is Who you will be worshipping and in Whose name! May our community be filled with the Holy Spirit that drives us to gather in churches, big and small, contemporary and traditional, young and old, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Church of Christ, Lutheran, Non-Denominational, all proclaiming the same thing the angels did long ago in the town of Bethlehem…
“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Merry Christmas, once again, my brothers and sisters of Freestone County. May this be a time filled with love and warm memories. And may we make the most of celebrating He who came to bring peace on earth, and goodwill towards men.
Let us worship as one community this Eve, my friends.
—
Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield, TX
ACS Chaplain – United States Coast Guard, Station Galveston, TX
Cell: 919-935-2513
Email: pastormike@fumcfairfield.org
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
“Semper Paratus” – Always Ready
