It’s hard to believe this year is already coming to an end, but today is Christmas Eve! This is my favorite moment of the Christmas season, when the shopping is all finished and it is finally time to relax and enjoy being in the company of family and friends. Not to mention the palpable excitement from the grandkids with Santa Claus’ impending arrival and one more day of being on their best behavior so he doesn’t skip their houses. 

It doesn’t get much better than Christmas in Missouri. The Jefferson City tree lighting and Jaycee’s Christmas parade earlier this month are always a great way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year. At the lake, a Celebration Cruise has been running all December long with entertainment on board to showcase the festive décor along the lake with proceeds going to 11 local charities. And St. Charles has so many wonderful holiday festivities happening this season that they were just voted the #1 Christmas town in the Midwest! We are lucky to live in a place that sees the value in celebrating the most joyous, festive, and holy season of the year. 

Amid all the craziness of making sure we fill up the cookie jar with the family favorites, taking the kids to see Santa Claus, and getting the gifts for our loved ones under the tree in time, let us all take a moment today to remember the reason for the season. Tonight is one of my favorite services of the year and a great opportunity to wish friends and neighbors Merry Christmas afterwards. After what has been another fairly chaotic year for our country, Christmas is the perfect moment to recenter and think about what life is truly all about. God sent his only son to die for our sins, and as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ tomorrow; let’s not forget how truly fortunate we are. 

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, it’s also a wonderful time to think about how fortunate we are to live in the finest state in the greatest country on earth. God has blessed us by making us Missourians and I am grateful each and every day for that gift. While it looks like a white Christmas might be a stretch this year, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by loved ones, a little too much food, and gratitude. From my family to yours, have a blessed and merry Christmas!