Emmanuel

STOP

Breathe.  Breathe deep.  Notice where you are and all the things surrounding you. Know that God is with you and just as close as the things around you. 

LISTEN

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23

REFLECT

God came close.  The Christ became incarnate- born in the flesh of humanity.  In the vulnerable packaging of a baby’s skin, God came into our world.  Therefore, when the angels say, “Peace on earth” it’s not simply a wish for the future- it’s a proclamation that Peace has come to the earth.  When we sing “Joy to the World” it’s because Joy has entered the world.  When we say “Come, O Come Emmanuel,” we are calling on God to be with us – And the amazing thing is God came!  All throughout the Old Testament, God tells people “I am with you.” -Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, Moses, Joshua, David and the list goes on.  But now, here in the Christmas story, God decides to be with us in the flesh.  Jesus is born and the Christ walks the earth… showing us what it means to love and heal and live a different way.  But then God takes it a little further, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit of God takes up residence in our flesh, in our bodies- we are the new dwelling place of God.  And because Christ lives in me, and Christ lives in you, we can look at each other with the love of God seeing the reflection of God’s Spirit in each other. And God truly is WITH US, in us, living through us.  And this is what we celebrate at Christmas.

PRAY

God, we thank you for taking the next step and becoming flesh.  Thank you for drawing close to us so that we might know your love. Amen

CARRY ON.

“A weary world rejoices” because God is here!  We are weary right now, but we can still rejoice knowing that God is here now.  It is God’s presence that fills us up, restores, gives life.  God gives so freely to us- simply receive. God is with us.  Emmanuel.