Christmas is not over!
The gift wrap may have been cleaned up, the new presents may have found their home. We may be gearing up for returning to work tomorrow or to school next week.
But Christmas! "Christ-Mas" The celebration of the coming of the Christ King is not limited to one day of the year!
The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us! This coming, this dwelling was not limited to his 33 years in an early body. Emmanuel. GOD IS WITH US!
The implication of his making his dwelling here is present perfect. And indicates an ongoing communion with the ones dwelt with - just as Jesus enjoyed ongoing communion with his father during his time on earth!
The great I AM (also present tense) is dwelling with us here, now, in our very souls if we are his people for we are his temple (his dwelling place!) "Eimi" in Greek - Present, Here, Now, with us!
The coming of the babe in the manger wasn't simply to eliminate the separation of God and man in light of eternity, but to eliminate it here and now. So that gift of God, born in the stable two thousand years ago has opened the door for us to be present with God in the here and now.
Each day is Christmas! Each day is the celebration of Emmanuel!
In the hard - Emmanuel!
In the chaos - Emmanuel!
In the unknowns - Emmanuel!
In the challenging conversations - Emmanuel!
When our plans change - Emmanuel!
When we feel pain - Emmanuel!
When life feels unfair - Emmanuel!
When we've been abandoned - Emmanuel!
When we feel misunderstood - Emmanuel!
When everything crashes down around us - Emmanuel!
We are not alone! We are seen! We are known! We are so deeply loved! EMMANUEL!
I pray your celebration of Christmas (Christ's coming) will continue and grow in the days to come!
May you know the presence of Emmanuel! God is with us!
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