The Greatest Gift of Christmas

 

Pausing midday on Christmas Eve, 

on a day filled with a page-long list -

things to do, to prepare, for

our precious family coming to 

spend Family Christmas with us.

The prep is important, and I love it,

and it is needed to welcome the

23 family members joining us next week;

preparation of food, gifts, lodging.

All a joy, and a delight.

And of "first importance"

is preparation of the heart,

taking moments to ponder ...

It comes each and every year,

the Eve of Christmas Day,

and we are filled with wonder.

This year, again, and in deeper ways,

I can hardly even contain the awe

and the miracle of that first Christmas.

"See, the virgin will become pregnant

and give birth to a Son,

and they will name Him Immanuel,

which is translated

'God is with us'".

(Matthew 1:23)

"God with us,

the true gift of Christmas".

(From Gracelaced Advent cards)

"Can you imagine, God,

whose glory filled the temple,

now lay His head in Mary's arms?

Mary held God incarnate,

God had chosen to come 

into the world, free of 

temple walls and barriers, 

to dwell with man."

(From Daily Grace Advent readings)

"The Word became flesh

and dwelt among us."

(John 1:14)

JESUS ... "God with us"

I can hardly contain

the joy and the wonder

of this most precious gift.

God with us ...

in our every days, in our moments,

closer than any other.

Joining in with many, many others all over the world, marveling at the beauty of this Christmas season; and maybe more than ever, in our troubled world, we are in awe of the priceless gift of "Immanuel: God with Us"!! Merry Christmas!