God With Us

There’s something about the way cancer strips your life down to the studs that makes it nearly impossible to get caught up in things that don’t matter.⁣
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Chaos is a choice and one I said no to awhile back.⁣
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It’s easy to be blinded by the twinkle lights of the season; the sequins and champagne. But as we consider just one more gift, just one more R.S.V.P., we miss the most important invitation of all.⁣
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That first Christmas was cramped. There were no place settings or itineraries. No notice. Not even a floor. There was nothing shiny about it. Nothing signaling an arrival of any kind. ⁣
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And yet, that baby’s first cry ushered in a movement that would interrupt generations of weak and wounded hearts. ⁣
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The God of the universe, who had access to anything and everything, traded it all for you. To live as one of you. ⁣
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To be near you. ⁣
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To see what you see and hurt like you hurt and one day grow up to stand in your place.⁣
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Consider the chaos carefully this season. Take a step back, or better yet, take a seat. ⁣
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Take a breath and shut out the noise, the busyness, the distractions.⁣
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Emmanuel means ‘God with us.’ ⁣
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There’s nothing else you need. ⁣