How many of you remember back five years ago, this very night? Children and college students home for the holidays remember only too well what happened in the early evening hours. They were treated to a snowfall like nothing many that young had ever seen living only in South Texas.

It started as my people were gathering for the first of two Christmas Eve services and it ended with the second service held at 11 p.m. having few people present. They were either enjoying the snow or the Christmas celebrations at their homes. Those who came out for the late service did it out of a sense of joy and tradition. That snowfall on Christmas Eve gave us the feeling of a special Christmas we were honored to share with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Christmas memories are important to all of us. The older we get the more special the memories are of grandchildren coming to our homes for Christmas (as in over the rivers and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go). The pictures, Christmas cards and letters we receive from longtime friends who catch us up with what went on in their families over the years. The smell of the Christmas goose cooking or tamales as may be our customary tradition adds to the aroma of mincemeat, apple pie or all of the goodies we share. The Christmas tree surrounded with boxes and gift bags waiting for the children to come into the room amazed at all that mysteriously arrived in the night.

But in the memory bank of snowfall and food, of cards and letters, of Christmas trees and presents, is one more memory we all share on this night. The memory is recorded in Luke’s gospel,

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:15-20

The Christ child comes, much like the snowfall in 2004, to turn the world upside down. We remember that our routine was changed on that night of the “great snowfall.”

We remember, too, that our routine is changed when Christ comes to dwell in our lives and hearts. May the Christ child bring joy and amazement to your life this year, also!