I love the name of Jesus as Immanuel, God with us. Christmas is about Jesus with us. He made a way for us to be with Him, and nothing else matters more in the universe. During our Christmas Eve service, the pastor talked about the times we feel like joy, peace, and hope have left our hearts. The problem, he claimed, is that we have been missing Jesus. The despair, anxiety, and hopelessness we feel indicate Jesus is missing. What a challenge to my heart to consider how the nearness of Jesus–His being with me–brings His joy, peace, and hope.
This morning, I opened one of my favorite gifts: time with my teen daughters. My husband gifted the girls with a day out for coffee and manicures. He gave us time to be together. Of all the gifts under the tree, I considered how time with the ones I love mattered most of all.
I think of Christmas as the gift of our now being with Jesus, the Presence that matters most of all.
Merry Christmas!