Dec. 24: Come by Kori Robins

On this sacred night, we are reminded of the beauty of a single word: “come.” It’s an invitation full of hope, wonder, and promise.

“Come and see,” Jesus said to two curious followers who dared to step away from the familiar. They didn’t know what awaited them, but something about Jesus stirred their hearts enough to leave what they were doing and take the first step.” (Scripture: John 1:35-39)

Have you ever been invited somewhere and had no idea what to expect? Maybe it was a Christmas party where you didn’t know anyone, a recovery meeting where you weren’t sure you belonged, or even a church service that felt like unfamiliar ground. The hesitation, the uncertainty—it can feel overwhelming. But sometimes, the risk is worth the reward.

For me, motherhood was one of those moments. I thought I might be prepared—after all, I grew up as one of ten children and spent years as a nanny. But nothing could fully prepare me for what lay ahead. I had to step into the unknown, to say “yes” to the invitation without fully understanding what it meant.

And oh, how it changed me. In the quiet moments of rocking a baby to sleep, in the messy chaos of a busy home, in the exhaustion and the joy—I discovered more about myself, about God, and about love than I ever thought possible.

This Christmas, I don’t know what might be holding you back or what you might need to leave behind to “come and see.” Perhaps it’s the comfort of what’s familiar, the weight of doubt, or the fear of stepping into the unknown. But the invitation stands tonight, just as it did when Jesus extended it to those first disciples.

“Come and see.” Come to the manger, where hope is born. Come to the Savior, who meets you in your weariness and wondering. Come to the One who knows the deepest longings of your heart and invites you into God's story of love and redemption.

Let your heart be drawn in. Let yourself be moved by the tender beauty of this night. You may find that stepping closer to the manger leads you to a place of peace and joy you never imagined possible.

The invitation stands. Will you come and see?

Amen.

—Kori Robins