We are in the final countdown you guys. As I type this, there are less than 10 days
until Christmas. (Eeeek!!!) I can tell you right now, I’m not ready. Yes, we’ve
got the tree up, but there aren’t as many lights twinkling. By this time last year all my cards were sent
out and presents wrapped. And usually by
this close to Christmas, I would be joyously awaiting the BIG day – celebrating
the birth of my Savior!
This year though, I can’t deny, it’s been a tough one. There have been so many highs and so many
lows, that lately, I have been just trying to catch my breath. When I tell you that either myself, or
another member of my family has had some kind of sickness since May, it’s no
exaggeration. Pneumonia, Lyme’s Disease,
ear infections, colds, sinus infections, pneumonia - again, bronchitis. I should buy stock in Lysol, Kleenex, and
Dayquil!
And it is not just my household either. I know many of you are dealing with health
issues in one form or another. For
others, it could be finances, or relationships, or you are just under a
terrible amount of stress. So many of us
are going through “stuff” and it is trying to pull us down. Add to that, this holiday season, when the world
is pressuring us to have that perfect Christmas card or Pinterest worthy décor,
it can be so tempting to just throw up your hands and skip Christmas.
But you know what?
I’m not giving up! And neither should you! I may only have 9 days (and counting!) until
Christmas but that doesn’t mean I have run out of time. Sure, I missed the boat on that Advent
devotional or maybe I am blowing my nose as I sing praises to my King, but I
don’t want to miss this. I don’t want to
coast past this precious time when we can focus on the greatest gift –
Immanuel. Sweet sister, it is so tempting, isn’t it? But I urge you, with these few days ticking
away, focus your eyes on your King...
“He sent forth his
word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” Psalm 107:20 (NIV)
God sent forth His Word – Jesus. He sent Jesus to us! He sent Jesus to heal us, not only of our
sicknesses and hurts, but to heal our sin problem too. He sent us a Rescuer to snatch us not only
from death but also when life seems to be drowning us. What great love God has
for us, that He sent us a Savior! I’m so
grateful He gave us Jesus, sending Him to earth, taking on human form in the
humblest means.
“But God showed his
great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
Romans 5:8 (NLT)
Celebrating that great love, I can’t just skip it. I can’t just focus on what I may be behind on
or what challenges I face. There is a
great LOVE that left heaven and came to earth!
I will turn my heart to the One who gave it all for me, and for you too. Jesus – Immanuel – God with us.
What we are going through, the trials we face, remember, God
is with us. We have Jesus. When the stress and fear begins to take your
focus away from Immanuel, and all you can feel is worry; remember God is with
us. Forget the tree, the cookies you
need to bake, the to-do list. Let’s
focus our eyes and hearts on Jesus... God with us.
“The virgin will be
with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel –
which means, God with us.” Matthew 1:25 (NIV)
