A Good Word Wednesday #22
Hopeful words for you today -- The best good news ever -- He is WITH us!
Good Word of the Week: WITH
Immanuel. God is WITH us.
These are familiar words we hear this time each year. When I hear Christmas sermons and sing Christmas songs in my church, my eyes wander over to this piece of art:
It is the first of many stained glass windows lining the walls of our worship center. When the sun shines through them, the beauty enhances my worship. Not worshiping the art itself, but the Maker of all creation — that little baby boy who came to be with us pictured so artfully in that glass.
This time of year, we hear so many definitions of what Christmas is all about… family, giving, love. (Speaking of giving, note: I DO have presents under my tree now…See…
Yay for me. See last week’s newsletter with the photo of nothing under the tree. It’s a good thing they are wrapped now since all my family will be here this Saturday to unwrap them!)
Anyway…. the point is… it’s not about all the things, even if they are good things. It is about God WITH us. Immanuel. What a good word. He is with us. Always. It’s what Christmas is all about.
Wednesday in the Word
He is WITH us—
From the beginning — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 ESV
Through eternity — “…. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20. ESV
Words I Recommend
A Good Blog — Stories for Global Good Blog -- Sit by WITH you. My granddaughter, Alex, use to say, “I want to sit by with you,” which meant she wanted to not just be near me. But on me. How is that like when I ask to be with my heavenly Father?
A Good App — In the midst of a busy day, a busy season, a busy life, press pause and be with God, just for one minute. I have found this to be a breath of fresh air - twice a day, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., set on my phone app. This is a free app so check it out. One Minute Pause. It is explained more in this refreshing book—
A Good Book — Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge The subtitle is: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad. And you know it has. “By incorporating a few simple practices--what John calls "graces"--you can begin to recover your soul, disentangle from the tragedies of this broken world, and discover the restorative power of beauty.”
A Good Song — Oh Come Emmanuel Chris Tomlin O Come Emmanuel
A Final Word
I’ve told you how I really feel about the holidays. I love Thanksgiving. Secondly, I love New Year’s Day. Christmas is just so…. much. You know what I mean. So much activities. So much food to prepare. So much stuff to buy. Too much. But I love that God is with us. And just to prove that I do enjoy Christmas and am not a complete Grinch, here are a few scenes from around my home…
Next week I will share some of my favorite nativity sets I’ve collected from around the world. What are your favorite decorations in your home?
(Note: Dr. Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas IS my favorite Christmas cartoon. I especially like the original animated version. Have you watched it this season?)
The tree, the decorations, the nativities, the presents… it all reminds me the season is beautiful and special. And that God is with us. I pray you have your moments of quiet and worship and celebration for the gift to us all year long… God is WITH you. He is WITH us. How humbling…
Until next Wednesday… Share a good word with someone today.
Gratefully yours,
This is a free public newsletter. Please share it with someone this week and give them a good word!