This Christmas season is well under way, and I can’t believe how quickly it is flying by! I was anxious about this Christmas, since we wouldn’t have our little guy with us like we had planned. I wasn’t sure whether it would be extremely difficult and painful or depressing and sad or whether it would be joyful like it should. I had no idea what to expect, especially considering my emotions can change from one moment to the next.
Well, so far, I have to say that God has been gracious. There have been difficult moments, no doubt, but overall, I have enjoyed the season and am looking forward to Christmas day. I certainly miss my little boy now more than ever, but I find myself getting emotional not just because Andrew isn’t here, but also because of how good the Lord has been to us.
I can honestly say that I have never been more grateful for the birth of Christ than I have been this year. At church on Sunday, we sang “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” I had forgotten how much I love that song. For those who don’t know, Emmanuel means “God with us.” What a beautiful reminder of what Christmas is really about…….
Emmanuel, God with us.
I decided this morning to take a break from my normal devotional book to spend some time in the word meditating on the advent season. I started with Luke and plan to spend some time in that book over the next few days. If you haven’t read the story of Christ’s birth in a little while, I would encourage you to do so – it is so humbling.
I’m so thankful for the birth of our Emmanuel. Through Jesus’ birth, God was with us on earth! Mary gave birth to the King of Kings (and without an epidural I might add)! Not only did she give birth, but she watched her son die a horrible death on a cross about 33 years later. Oh, how grateful I am that Jesus was obedient, even to death on the cross. I’m also so thankful that Jesus left us the Holy Spirit. See, even after Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection, and ascension, we still have God with us on earth through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord has been so good to us. I get emotional when I think of all that we’ve been through over the past year and the grace that God has shown us. I am so grateful that God has been near to us through it all. He has been by our side as we walk this road, and at many times has carried us.
This year, I find myself celebrating the Christmas season with a heavenly focus. Other than Christmas lights, Kevin and I haven’t done much decorating. I have barely done any shopping. I haven’t even addressed my Christmas cards yet. But, I find myself enjoying the true meaning of this Christmas season more than ever before. I hope that you all will take some time to think about what this Christmas season means to you.
