Already the Christmas catalogs are arriving full of decorations, cards, and gifts. While they remind me of all that has to be done before that one day of the year, I also welcome them for the reminder of that one day, and even for all the days surrounding it in preparation, and for the glow of the aftermath. Christmas fills so many needs. It reunites us with family, friends, and even neighbors, as well as with our own roots from past Christmases. My grandmother could remember actual wax candles on the tree that were lit with live fire. She said it was a common practice. When I was married she gave me a box of Christmas tree ornaments , and when I hung them, her pleasure matched mine.

There have been festivals of many kinds since the beginning of civilization, and perhaps before, but this one is timeless acknowledgment of a past, present, future and even eternal relationship with our God. This is the incarnation, the putting on of human flesh and blood by our divine God. This is the mystery of Emmanuel, God with us, that so inspired believers in Christ to celebrate his birth for more than two thousand years. This is the very essence of Christmas, experienced throughout the year by believers.

One summer, when he was very young, my grandson asked me, “Have you ever had a Christmas feeling when it wasn’t even Christmas?” We were sitting by the pool. “Yes, I said, “I have.” “Because,” he said, “I’m having one now.” There were no presents visible or anticipated, and no great treats foreseen, but I thought that his answer was entirely true, I believed that he did, indeed have an “Emmanuel” feeling, and that it shouldn’t surprise us that the incarnation of God should live and breathe in our generation as He promised: The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God endures forever. ( Isaiah 40:8) This is the “Word” that John wrote about in introducing Jesus to his readers: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. This son, Jesus, told his followers, “I am with you always, even to the very end o f the age.” (Mathew 28:29)

Through the Holy Spirit our Emmanuel has drawn close to believers even throughout all the centuries that separate us from the first Christmas. For those who love Christmas for more than the tinsel and gifts, Emmanuel still accompanies us all year round.

Love in Him,

Prue