My good pal Elizabeth Feigle posted this on Facebook a couple of days ago. I loved it so, and I asked her if I could share it with y’all as a guest blog. She didn’t title it, but I’m calling it God With Us.
About 3 years ago, Christmas changed for me. The darkness & the waiting of the advent season became real to me in a way that I still am unable to shake. I find myself during this season specifically holding back tears and getting choked up often at the mere thought of Jesus coming to Earth.
I think of the 400 years of silence. I think of my silent seasons when God seems as far away, dark, and silent as the bottom of the ocean.
I think of how Gabriel came to Mary, telling her words and truth that would flip everything upside down – and yet also make everything right again. I think of things God has told me that just don’t make sense – and yet I hold onto them.
I think of Elizabeth, a woman whose name I share, who was barren. An unfulfilled desire of hers left to wonder why, until God opened her womb for John to come, because it was time. I think of the things I’m wondering about with God, wondering if His time to fulfill them will come this side of heaven.
I think about Joseph who chose to be apart of what God was doing even if it meant ridicule and hardship. I think about what it means and looks like to be a Christian these days, and living according to scripture and if I honor God with my actions.
I think about the shepherds who were in the middle of their work week when angels came and appeared – announcing the birth of Jesus and everything changed. They believed and they got to see Jesus – Gods glory revealed. Do I take the time to embrace Gods glory being revealed in the middle of my work week?
I think of the waiting, the mundane, the normal, the hard, the beautiful miracles, the confusion in silence, a babies cry that changed everything. It all fits together and points to Jesus.
May the miracle of Jesus coming to be with us make this season a holy time as you mourn, may it make your joy deeper, may it cause you to smile and tear up at God’s goodness, and may it cause you to believe that God is real and loves you.
Jesus came, Emmanuel, God with us, and everything changed.
This is beautiful! Thankyou for an amazing post. Your title is what grabbed my attention when I was looking for Christian blogs that accept submissions with a… ” ..dont be worried to ask a famous blogger about this…” something like that? Well I invite you to check on my site if you would. http://innerdialects.home.blog
Have a blessed 2020
I did check out your blog. I liked it. I’d be open to considering you as a guest!