Christmas Day is nearly here and excitement fills our home. We have our own Christmas Sountrack. We keep disappearing, hiding around the house to wrap presents. We’re preparing meals, planning international calls to our family across the globe. There are the last minute preparations for the services at church today. Soon it will be here. We’ll remember this most important moment in human history – God with us, Emmanuel.

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight…

For me these last few weeks - Advent - has known both joy and pain.

One Friday afternoon I held my kids a little tighter, a little longer, and longed for the kingdom to come. I longed for the One who makes all things new. One week I wondered at the global events on the news, and those carols we sing so freely became a lament a prayer a cry…

O Come O Come Emmanuel….

I’ve also witnessed miracles this Advent. Prayers answered. Days filled with wonder and joy and thanksgiving and hope. Mercy that reminds us that we are not alone; Emmanuel is here.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

The nativity story has joy and pain, longing and hope. God breaks into the darkness of a broken world, of oppressive regimes, of tyrannical murdering kings, of the forgotten and insignificant people - and history is defined by His story. Newborn, new life, new hope, new light….

It’s this truth that stays with me through the busyness of today. His story met my story and changed my life forever. He reset my destiny. Christmas has meant many things to me over the years. And just like everyone else, I’ve known Christmas days of joy and days of pain. Through all of the memories, one thing remains that I’m forever grateful for: Emmanuel.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matt. 1:23