Tis the Season…to share the flu?

This is not what I had planned to do this week. I mean…

…there are only 27 shopping days left until Christmas…

…I haven't baked anything yet…

…the Children's Christmas Pageant practices aren't going…

…the Christmas trees and nativities aren't out in the Sunday School rooms…

…the Youth Room isn't finished being painted and cleaned…

…the new Advent study begins this week…

And yet none of these things really seem to matter in the grand scheme of things. It's Advent and a new baby is coming. All the things we do to celebrate the season: the cleaning, decorating, shopping and partying, have very little to do with the holiday of Christmas.

     Unto us is born a Savior, Emmanuel, God-with-us, and the good news is He comes whether we've done all these things or not. He comes to us in our illnesses, in our brokenness, in our grief, in our depressions, and, yes, even in our joy and celebrations. He came to us on a dark night far away to a lowly young carpenter and his young wife in a cave among the cattle and angels proclaimed His glory on high…and our world has never been the same.

     Perhaps the flurry of confusion through our holiday season is a good reminder to each of us. After all, if God can come to humanity in the meanest of conditions, perhaps we can encounter God whether we are ready or not. 

     So the flu may have waylaid me this week, but regardless of what gets done or not done, we will all encounter the Christ-child this holiday season. This week I have felt God's presence in the gentle touch of those who love me and have cared for me through my illness. I feel God's presence in the calls and texts from friends and family who offer words of comfort. I feel God's presence in my body's gentle mending as I await restoration. 

May each of you encounter God this Christmas season without the presence of illness.
Blessings,
Tracy