Tis the Season

Tis the Season to remember why we celebrate the season.

We sing, “tis the season to be jolly” in the familiar Christmas tune, “Deck the Halls."  I love the joy that can come with this time of the year.  Although I don’t get into Christmas as much as I used to I still love the singing, the lights, the hope.  Yet this isn’t the case for everyone.  For many this season brings stress, sadness, and struggle.  The financial pressures and the lament of loved ones are enough to bring a heaviness over this season that is said to be jolly.  Yet beyond the pain and joy this season has a way of bringing us together.  It joins us with people.  Whether we celebrate with sadness or joy there is a togetherness of this season that remains true.  May the presents and the pain never keep us from enjoying those we are with this season.  Tis the season to be together.  

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:23 ESV

He is the “with us” God.  Jesus came to be with us.  That’s the whole reason we celebrate.  We have a God that left heaven to come to our broken earth because He wanted to be with us.  It’s in His name.  Immanuel, means God with us.  It’s who He is and who His presence longs for us to know.  His desire has always been to be with us.  It was always His plan, always His heart.  It lines up with our greatest need to have intimacy with Him.  He meets our greatest need with His greatest desire.  This is why we can celebrate this season.  It’s the remembering of our Immanuel, With us God, who came to make a way for our greatest need.  We need His presence.  Whether you find yourself singing with joy or with tears of longing this Christmas know that God is with you.  That’s what this season is about.  We celebrate the birth of our God who came to be with us.  Look around for all the ways He is with you this season.  Tis the Season to see the reality of our God with us.  

THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY

I'm enjoying this from Raleigh Tillman's collections…

THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY

There is always a way. Believe it.

When the road is rocky and full of obstacles; 

When the wind blows like a fierce hurricane;

When the driving rains on’t let up for a minute; 

When the sun beats down and there is no shade; 

When there is barely a glimmer of hope you find

The way to walk among the boulders and thorns:

So carry on, you stout hearted.  Believe it. 

There is always a way for you to walk, a good, right way.

There are always full, new mercies with the morning sun,

And there is always light to illuminate what’s been dark.

There is clarity that will outrun the inhering confusion;

And there is joy for each day, strength in hard moments,

And a great, glorious hope to keep you walking, always.

You can see read more of her writing by purchasing her book or viewing her blog: http://raleightillman.com

The Greatest Hope of Our Best Dreams: A Collection of Writings, available in print and Kindle at Amazon.com.   I have the book and highly recommend it!!!