It's 4:52am. I've been up since 4 something... Laying, waiting to fall back asleep....yet the world is quiet....calm. I can't escape the peace. PEACE. Something our world today so rarely encounters.
God is with us. Emmanuel. Heaven opens, a babe arrives. Tiny. Gentle. Sweet.
Oh, ever, so sweet.
Cars hurry, internet is constant, video games in abundance, activities are endless. Hustle, bustle. Not just in preparation for the holidays, but suddenly...its year round.
I've noticed the slow rise of white noise in the mornings. As the cars gather in rows heading to jobs, creating a steady hum. But today....quiet. Peace.
What do you love most about Christmas?
I love the stillness. The world never fully stops....but today is the ONLY day that it comes close.
Stillness.
Stores close. Families gather. Food is prepared, not bought in boxes. Stories are told, and created new. Traditions passed down. Friends cherished. Love shared.
For one day...the old world, meets new.
I often wish I lived in an era where life was simpler. No tablets, no internet, no cell phones. Even a time similar to when I grew up would suffice. Just a few steps backward.
But we march forward. Pushing, changing, wanting, searching, longing.....for what?
Today. The babe...wrapped in swaddling clothes. Lying in a manger. Heaven bestows a gift.
THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL TIME.
Finn set the timer on the iPad last night. He asked us what an appropriate time would be to wake up today. : ) Then he counted the hours (with daddy's help) and set the alarm. Its sitting on his headstand. Waiting....
The world waits...no longer!
God is with us!!! Emmanuel!!
Rejoyce!!
I lie in bed....praying. Thinking of all the abundant blessings I have...and all the worries and fears I carry. I cry. I smile.
If you know me at all, you know I'm not a morning person.
Today, tho, I felt called to rise. The one day of the year when PEACE has fallen into our dark world. LOVE is brought through a baby. JOY is gifted....to all of us.
Rise.
Rise and enjoy. Read the Christmas story in Luke. Sit. Simmer....in the beautiful story and blessing of Christ.
My Christmas prayer is for each of you to know Him. To meet him today at the manger. To reach out your yearning hearts and dare to find him....in the scriptures. On the pages. Not through church. Not through Facebook messages. Not through oceans of gifts and mounds of wrapping paper.
In YOU.
In the stillness. Find Luke 2...read it...Find Him....in YOU.
Jesus came for YOU. and ME.
He's waiting....in the stillness. Calm. Loving. Unending. Unbreakable.
Today you can hear him....the world is calm. The world is bright.
He's here. Amen!!
God is with us!!
Rejoyce!
Merriest Christmas to you and yours ~ xoxo