The following is an original article from co-author of Merry and Bright, Kendra Roehl.

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9, NLT)

Years ago, a Spanish-speaking church held services at the church my husband and I attended. As our paths sometimes crossed between events, we’d nod and smile with little more than a hello. One day, I asked our pastor about the people who attended, and he explained that they had a wonderful pastor who was ministering primarily in the immigrant community, loving on the people who were new to the country.

As Christmas approached, I felt inspired to meet with this pastor, who told me about the people who came to their services and their most pressing needs. We decided as a church that we would like to use some of our resources to bless them, and one December morning, the Spanish-speaking congregation joined ours for a Sunday service. As we prayed together and gave gifts, they returned the goodwill by offering us worship songs, celebrating Jesus and the Christmas season.

I couldn’t help but smile as I stood in the back of the room, watching the morning’s events unfold. Here we were, from many different countries, English and Spanish speaking—all coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ to love one another and worship Jesus. Children laughed as adults attempted to communicate, even if just through smiles and nods. Handshakes and hugs were given, with the warmth and understanding of our shared hope in Jesus.

This was, for me, a first glimpse of what the Kingdom of heaven will one day look like—a coming together of all people groups to celebrate the one true King, Jesus. What a day that will be!

Since that December morning, I’ve had the opportunity to worship with Christians from other parts of the world, and it always encourages and reminds me of a greater Kingdom—the one Jesus spoke of that would be filled with “every nation and tribe and people and language” (Revelation 7:9).

A Kingdom that came, is coming, and is still yet to come. And while we wait, we see glimpses. When God’s children—from near and far—come together to love, celebrate, and worship the King. Jesus. A babe, born so simply in a manger—but who ushered in the greatest kingdom the world will ever know.

One we get to be a part of, now and always. And that is certainly worth remembering as we celebrate his birth, but even just as significantly, his life, his teachings, and the good news that the Kingdom has come for everyone!

How can you celebrate Jesus’ birth with others in your community as Christmas approaches this year?