Slow Christmas

It's interesting how slow things have been around here lately. No hustling and bustling. No out and about.

It's a great way to end the year, especially since my word for 2013 has been slow. I really have learned to slow down this year. There is a gift to be found in taking life a little more slowly.

I've been reflecting on our lack of activity during this season the past couple days, and I've been encouraged in my advent readings from The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp that this slowness, this pace of life is so good for us.

Here's a paraphrase of the encouragement Ann has to offer....

You don't have to earn Christmas

You don't have to perform Christmas

You don't have to make Christmas

just rest

just wait

just breathe

slow down and breathe Christ

come...simply come

And God will give you the Christmas miracle - God with us.

God gives God.

Emmanuel - God with us. 
Do you have space for God to be with you - to dwell within you?
Make space.
Make space for God.

As we  wait for Emmanuel - our hearts and souls saying o come, o come Emmanuel - we can also hear the cry for us to come - o come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.

In these last days and hours before Christmas, take some time to breathe. 

O come let us adore Him....