Immanuel

This name gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes when I stop and really think about it.  Immanuel.

God with us.

Oh my.  Is there anything more wonderful?

I could stop this blog post right there and it would be enough.  But I have too many other thoughts swirling in the gray matter of my brain so bear with me as I continue.

I have been reading two fabulous books that I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to fight the current of the glitzy, rushed, over-indulgent Christmas that we see everywhere.  "The Women of Christmas" by Liz Curtis Higgs and "The Greatest Gift" by Ann Voskamp.   

Ann's (I like to use her first name, makes me feel like we are friends :) ) book has this quote from her on the back cover: "I don't want a Christmas you can buy.  I don't want a Christmas you can make.  What I want is a Christmas you can hold.  A Christmas that holds me, remakes me, revives me.  I want a Christmas that whispers,  Jesus."

Me too.  To slow down or even *gasp* stop.  To think.  To breathe.  To be.

I'm not gonna lie, I (mostly) enjoy the doing that comes with Christmas.  The lights, the trees, the decorations.  The cookie baking (ok, I am really terrible at making cookies but when the sisters-in-law and the mother-in-law are involved all turns out well), the family gatherings, the parties.  But I SO need the balance of quiet.  Of reading wise words.  Of being still.

With all my heart I want to experience Christmas in a way that honors Christ.  And I want that for my children as well.  Larry and I cringe each time that commercial comes on that says "Get more Christmas!".  It rips at my soul.  There are children dying each day because they don't have enough to eat or are drinking dirty water or are getting bit by mosquitos.  And American commercialism is trying to teach my children that they need MORE.  MORE toys, MORE electronics, MORE, MORE, MORE!!!  It makes my eyes leak.

This morning I read this: 

"I am more sinful and flawed than I ever dared believe, more loved and welcomed than I ever dared hope." ~ Elyse M. Fitzpatrick

"...live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."  ~Ephesians 5:2

"Who needs more than being loved to death?"  ~Ann Voskamp

I'd love to know the ways you, my dear friends, are fighting the current this Christmas season.

Drink deep of the quiet.  Find time to be still.  Hug your family.

Immanuel

God with us.