Emmanuel

Oh, to be able to hear Christmas music - - - how glorious!! I suppose it took years of sound deprivation to cause me to be forever in awe of the gift of music. At Christmas it comes home to me in spades. Gerry gave a mini concert on Thursday at our community celebration dinner. I sat in the back of the clubhouse to give him a "high sign" at certain times, signaling the adequacy of the volume level. His deaf wife!! Ho Ho Ho

By the way, do most people have an all-time favorite Christmas song? Mine seems to change from year to year. This Christmas, my favorite is the short chorus:

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel
God with us
Revealed in us
His name is called Emmanuel.

The mind-boggling concept of the great God of the whole universe condescending to come to earth to "be with us" has really gripped me this year. Maybe it's because this promise of His presence and ever-present care has been so obvious in 2009 with Gerry's health issues in February and with many friends, neighbors, and extended family members struggling with disabling conditions and chronic illnesses. I suppose that goes with the territory as senior citizens. Often I find myself at a loss for words as someone dear to me is given devastating news, or I'm stunned by an email from our church prayer chain. How do people cope? I'm then drawn to the Psalms or to my hymnal to regain perspective. Emmanuel means God is with us.

Merry Christmas

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”