It’s Christmas Eve Eve. 

In the sentence above, the red squiggly line on my computer screen under the second “Eve” indicates it should not be there. The computer wants to delete the repetitive word. But that’s the point, it’s Eve’s Eve. Today is the day before Christmas Eve. It’s the day for getting last minute things done. It’s a day like no other. 

Today is the frazzled day of last minute shopping. Need anything from Wal-Mart? Count the presents. Make sure everyone is fairly gifted. Volunteer to battle the crowds for the good of the family; grab a last minute stocking stuffer and a gallon of milk. It’s the day to wrap the last few items. The family begins to gather from faraway places. What’s for dinner? Order a pizza. It’s Christmas Eve Eve.

When you are a believer but not the preacher on Christmas Eve, today is the day to remind your friends and family of the Christmas Eve service time. It’s the day to give that last minute invite to non-churched friends. It’s the day to make sure your row is packed with people who are ready to celebrate the Object of all our gatherings—Jesus.

When you are the preacher, Christmas Eve Eve is the night before the Super Bowl. The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service has the highest percentage of non-church goers than any other service of the year. More than Easter. More than Mother’s Day. Christmas Eve is the big day. Tomorrow is it. Which means, with all of the Christmas joy and carols and lighting of candles, still the Gospel must be preached. It’s not for nostalgia sake that we are gathering, but for Jesus. Folks need to know that there is an answer to their deepest needs. Jesus is the One who proclaimed, I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). So on this Silent Night, the preacher can’t be quiet about the Good News. It’s too important.

Dear Christmas Eve preacher, no pressure, but it’s game time! The Super Bowl is tomorrow. Get plenty of sleep. Be ready. Be excited. Preach well and let Jesus do the rest. Go tell it on the mountain (or from the pulpit): Jesus Christ is born and that Good News makes all the difference.