It's my third Christmas that I've lived in Honduras. The first Year I got to go to the US for most of the month. My last Christmas in Alabama and my first time to spend time in Ohio. Last year someone surprised me with a trip to Alabama for 4 days and a mini Christmas happened and I got to see my friends and family and it felt like Christmas. Then Christmas here with my kids for the first time.
This year is the first time in 41 years I won't be with my family during December. A friend mentioned to me last month that this must be difficult. I said it very well could be but it has to be about Him.
Trust me. I've looked at tickets here and there trying to figure out if it would be at all possible to show up in Alabama for a couple of days and it just wasn't doable. With my schedule and especially with my finances.
Christmas will happen no matter if we are ready for it. And as I came into Teguc today to pick up a team I was thinking how much we build up Christmas. We all have expectations for the holiday season. What time with our family and friends should be and feel like. What time at church with the family there should look and feel like. And no matter where you are, odds are high the season will seem to disappoint somehow. Gift expectations not met. Couldn't find the perfect gift for that one you love so much. The perfect gift you thought you'd get, that you hinted about for 2 months didn't happen. Plans changed. It didn't happen like you thought it would.
Then Christmas was over and you will say "is it already over?"
That's where Jesus comes in. He changes our perspectives. He shows us how things should be. He prepares our hearts daily when we ask Him. He shows up in the middle of our Christmas. Because He is the reason and we acknowledge that.
I can't help but think of the first Christmas. Freaked out Mary and Joseph having their baby in a barn. And the shepherds and wise men didn't just show up that night and the whole world started celebrating. I know that's how we tell it but I don't think the timing lent itself to have all that play out the first night. I think it was much simpler. Baby in a manager and angels announcing it to the shepherds and thus the world. But there probably was just a quiet normalcy with those three in that barn that night.
And sometimes that's just was Christmas is. Just a day. When our hearts are just full of where He has us. The shiny and bright might be on another day with loud music and annoying craziness. But Christmas is really just Him.
Last Christmas Season I encountered one of the hardest deepest struggles I've had. It was all in my heart and mind and I have to admit the day after Christmas I lost that day's battle. Satan doesn't like the light and joy of Christmas. And He will do what He can to make us forget Christ came for freedom. For salvation. To kill sin and death. I'm determined this year to keep that in front of me and rejoice in who He is. Savior. Redeemer. Prince of Peace. Wonderful Counselor. (Isaiah 9)
I long for the day I can stand in front of Him. Face to face and no more veil between us. To realize fully the hope He brings.
For now and until then I will see that baby in the manger in that barn and rejoice that He has come. Emmanuel. God with us. And one day He will come again. Or we will go to Him in death.
What a sweet day that will be.
Til then we press on. We stand. We fight. For truth of His word that sets people free.
He is the reason for the season. Indeed. May we settle in to know Him more this week.
Thankful for each of you in what He's doing in my life.
Be His.
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