Pastoral Pearls: Emmanuel – God Is With Us
“Emmanuel – God Is With Us ”
These are my favorite “Words” during this Christmas Season. I look around and can see so many brilliant and sparkling examples of God being with us, during this wonder-filled time of year – symbols of Christ’s Light in the sparkle of Christmas tree lights and the star on top of the tree; or in colorful, shiny decorations; in much-anticipated and mysterious Christmas presents. Even as a small child, I could so easily see God sparkling. In theory, the gift-giving, the support of charities, the pagaents and plays all serve to spread God’s love, but these seem more like the trappings of Christmas love. They can show me that God is with me, but through the years I have begun to recognize the deeper, more meaningful ways God is truly present with us.
This “Holiday Bucket List” came across my path and reminded me what is truly precious, how I can more fully realize God’s presence. When I am truly present to others, I feel God with me, more than when I buy presents. When I wrap gifts for others it feels a bit superficial – like outer trappings. When I wrap someone else in a hug – especially someone who truly seems to need a hug – I feel as though God is wrapping me in His warm, loving embrace. When I send gifts, though fulfilling, these are merely things. When I send love through a card or email or text, I feel God’s love infusing my words with honesty, warmth and power. When I donate food, rather than merely shop for food, I hear Jesus’ words about doing for others being the same as doing for Jesus, and see Jesus present in those to whom I donate the food. I could make cookies and that would be oh so sweet, but when I make memories by doing amazing and ordinary things with those dearest to me or with friends new and old, I feel the “Life to the Fullest” that Jesus gifted to us, and where He is always present with us. Seeing the lights of Christmas is full of awe and wonder, but moreso is being that light of God’s love to others, and seeing what a difference it can make. That is God present and at work in our world. And carrying this “Bucket List” through, beyond Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas, is even more powerfully the embodiment of God with us in every part of life, every day, every hour, every experience, every one.
Loving God,
I thank you that I can always count on you to be challenge my thinking and turn things upside down whenever I get too comfortable.
May I pass on to others the warm, fuzzy feeling that I, myself love so much at Christmas time.
May I see you in every face, in every need, in every gifted encouragement.
May your Holy Spirit help me to feel and further the feeling of the true Spirit of Christmas – love.
~ Amen