As I reflect on Christmas this year, it is clear that we are in a RICH yet BUSY (hence the lack of postings here) season of life – walking the dog, writing lectures, transporting kids, attending conferences, unpiling the house, grading papers… some days we love it, some days we nearly collapse from it. We do not lack for joy or angst, satisfaction or longing, rest or exhaustion. The paradox of it all astounds me at times!
At times we feel a lot like the shepherds in the field when “an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified” (Luke 2:9), while in others we identify more closely to Mary who “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19). Perhaps that’s one of my favorite parts of this season – the simple reminder that God’s greatest gifts to us don’t always show up where or how we expect to see them, that He resides in the meek and lowly moments just as deeply as the glorious and joy-filled ones.
For whatever these days bring you, I wish you, simply, the presence of our Lord in this season. May you have a blessed, meaningful holiday.
(image from The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. A highly recommended resource from our house!!!)
between worlds 