The angel said to [the shepherds], “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:10-12

This year’s Christmas Eve Service, with so many people watching and worshiping from home, reminds me of my Christmas Eve twenty-five years ago, when I was a student in seminary in South Carolina. My wife and I were looking forward to attending the Christmas Eve Service at the congregation where I was assigned. Unfortunately, our child, Katie, who was about 2 at the time, got a stomach bug, and we had to stay home. We stayed in our seminary apartment that Christmas Eve…