(a repost today, friends, as we jump back into work and life and carry on with the gift of it. Epiphany does not come until Jan. 6, but I have been feeling it in my heart today. I'll be holding you dear...)
I took down the mistletoe today.
No more lurking in dark corners preying upon prepubescent
boys to steal kisses. (I’m talking about my sons…Who have YOU been kissing?
Okay, so it was really more like a hug-tackle. Hey, they aren’t that big on
snuggling anymore, who can blame a mom?)
We are here.
We have arrived at the stable. God incarnate nestled in manger. He slid into our world through the door of
a mother’s womb.
This wonder, this…epiphany...breaks me open, drives me to my
knees.
I come with my meager
gifts. When I left with them in hand I rejoiced to give gifts of such value. I
felt pride at the worth in my hands. Now, standing here…I only feel my lack. But somehow--when I stand before Him--all this melts away. My
heart rejoices, despite my diminutive status. He came for me. I know this. I
feel it in my marrow.
While I celebrate at this knowledge (Emmanuel! God with us!),
my heart is heavy. For there is the return journey home. I must leave this
humble place. I must turn my back on this holiness and step back into the every
day.
That’s what boxing up Christmas feels like to me.
I gather all my splashes of red. I take down my nativity.
But as I cradle Baby Jesus in my hand, heart skips a beat.
Will he not remain with me?
Isn’t this the gift of Epiphany? The gift of the Cross?
Sorrow spins again into joy. Love’s promise weaves this
knowledge into my heart: He never leaves.
He never leaves.
We choose some tangible reminders of this truth to remain tucked
in our world. The heart remembers the weakness of the flesh--the sin of
forgetting.
And as I gather the splashes of red, mind’s eye focuses on His
presence.
with Jen:
14 comments:
No one can blame a mom for stealing kisses. I'm nowhere near ready to take down the mistletoe.
Wish I could hear you preach on Sunday.
He never leaves.
Amen.
I'm no where near taking it down either... keeping the lights through Epiphany... And so glad He never leaves... :)
I know all about those tackle hugs!!!! Sigh! I take all the ornaments off my tree except for snowmen and live it up till valentines:) I miss the lead up to Christmas - the focusing on the reason for the season - I miss that beacon that reminds me so beautifully!
Holding tightly to that - God with us - He never leaves. Peace and joy to you Laura in this season and all year long.
Did you really preach a sermon? is it recorded??
Oh, Laura. Don't gather *all* the splashes of red. You know how I feel about red. Splashes of hope. Hang onto hope. :)
Was thinking about you preaching on Sunday... we got back last night from visiting extended family so all of our Christmas decorations are still up... so glad He is always WITH us...Blessings to you and your family :)
Loved your mistletoe comment...a reason for me to invest in some mistletoe for sure! To steal some kisses.
Hugs and kisses are good anytime at my house -- no mistletoe needed. I wonder if Jesus will kiss us as we enter heaven? I think we may already be given Angel kisses and not know it.
Christ remains in our hearts and Christmas is a time of remembering and celebrating his birth. May we ever hold Him dear.
sweet write... I leave my nativity up about 6 months... sweet remider
Glad He remains with us. Thanks for the reminder.
Now I know why people leave their decorations up all year!
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