
And so, it has come – Christmas Eve! Wherever you are in the world and whatever you may be experiencing, on this eve we celebrate all the Gifts of Christmas because of a God who loved us so much that He took on human flesh and was born as a baby in a manger in a barn to show us who He is. He also came to experience what we experience and show us a way amid the challenges on the earth that faced Him and continue to face humankind to this present hour.
If you have followed this Christmas series that began December first, you know that we have looked at some of the gifts we may not think of first when the Christmas season of Advent comes. We routinely think of joy, peace, hope, and love and the story of the shepherds who were stunned when angels filled the night sky to announce the Christ had been born. We see the nativity scenes here and there or on our own mantels and recall the characters depicted there and of course the wise men that came later as they followed the star in the heavens. The story is rich with memories for many of us, but I sensed the Lord would have us look a bit deeper and consider the story behind that story in the series.
If you missed any of the Gifts of Christmas, you could go back and consider them when there is a quiet moment, and the Lord allows you to come closer to Him. We look at 10 gifts prior to this one today – sacrifice, anticipation, promise, wonder, assurance, rest, good news, light, revelation, and truth.
That, of course, is just a small sample of the gifts that came because Christ came and to choose Immanuel today may be obvious, but it reminds us that God is with us. No matter what we are facing at this moment, not matter what disappointment, what challenge, or what loss, He came to show us He is with us. No matter how dark the world or grim the headlines, He has not abandoned us. If we listen and stop long enough, we can sense Him in so many ways and places even in a pandemic, in the midst of tragedies of all kinds.
Some may see that as small comfort during hard painful times, but maybe they do not yet know the depth of God’s love or how He wanted us to be reunited with Him after the mistake in the Garden. Christmas was the beginning of that, and Easter sealed it for those who would believe. But He was not and is not finished yet because He promised before He ascended into heaven that He would come back again and take us with Him and there we would not experience pain or sorrow, hunger, or loneliness.
I hope something I was led to write has brought you a fresh glimpse of the God who came.
May God bless you and meet you this day and night and when you awaken on Christmas morning, may you find Him as the center of your heart.
From my heart to yours, Merry Christmas!
Pam, this was such a wonderful series of reflections. I was blessed in reading them throughout the month. I am so very grateful for the gift of Immanuel. As the new year is ahead of us and remains unknown to us, the days ahead are not unknown to Him. The gift of His Presence is the truly the gift which gives to us all we need in every day. Blessings!
Thanks for this encouragement, Joanne! Yes, we cannot know what lays ahead – never could, but the last few years have been that clearer and longing for the Lord’s return, I think.💕
Pam,
Of all the gifts God has given us…given me — the gift of His presence tops them all. The Lord left His royal throne in order to come be with us in our muck and mire. What a Lord. What a Savior! Thanks for this beautiful reflection on the gifts of Christmas.
Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Bev xx
Thanks so much for this, Bev. He did indeed leave us the very best gifts and to be ever present is such a blessing. Merry Christmas a bit late. Our family was all at our small home over Christmas for the first time in 2 years ( 2 adult children and 6 grandchildren 17-17) and I have been away from writing and checking online). Blessings on you and yours in 2022! ♥️
Thank you, Pam! I read every post in the series and appreciated every one. Bless you, and Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much, Gale🎄That blesses me to read/hear. Have a blessed Christmas⭐️