Emmanuel

Behold, a virgin, shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanual.

Isaiah 7:14

Emmanuel, God with us, in our human nature, in our suffering, in our work, in our punishment, in our grace - and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and in His glorious return.

(Taken from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening.)

The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. - Titus 3:4

I have loved thee with an everlasting love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. - The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. - Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.

As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

Jeremiah 31:3, 1 John 4:9-10, Galatians 4:4-5, John 1:14, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 2:14

(Taken from Daily Light on the Daily Path, Morning devotion for December 25.)

Ready for Christmas

Arriving at Son#4 and DIL#4's home on Saturday to celebrate The Most Adorable Granddaughter#11's first birthday we were greeted by The Most Charming Grandson#3 who proudly informed us, "We're ready for Christmas."

At three he understands so much now, and, truth be told, Christmas last year was a little overshadowed by moving back into a newly renovated house and a baby who decided to go past her due date before arriving three days before Christmas! So this year, the excitement of bringing a tree home and decorating it certainly made an impact.

But his comment made me wonder: How ready am I for Christmas?

True, we have no tree this year, since I was not up to dragging in either our driftwood tree or a real tree while DH was still in recovery mode, but I have still placed the majority of our decorations around the house and I believe the house looks quite festive.

We've also baked up a storm with our traditional Christmas pudding, two Christmas cakes, and four batches of Christmas Mazurka. And while I've been rather lax when it comes to Christmas gift shopping, and I'm not likely to get through all my Christmas cleaning, there's been no shortage of Christmas carols blaring forth. So, hopefully, unless you happen to be our neighbours, there shouldn't be too many complaints when Christmas rolls around.

Except, again, that question: How prepared am I for Christmas?

Not the gifts. Or the turkey. Or the pavlova or desserts. Or even the salads. (I've just realised how much I still have to do!)

But the readiness to celebrate and worship the Saviour this year. 

To take a moment to reflect on the sheer wonder of God as a babe in a manger.

To remember the Messiah - who is also our Redeemer and Lord.

To comprehend a little more the great love that God would send His Son to earth.

To savour the wonderful incredible truth of Emmanuel - God with us.

Because all else is unimportant - superficial - if we aren't prepared for the King of Kings.