Undone

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I have nothing to pack.

For the first time in forever, I will not be at my childhood home Christmas Day.  I will not pack up gifts, clothes, snow pants, sleeping bags and toiletries.  We will not have to rush through our little family's pre-Christmas celebration.  I will sleep in our bed.  I will watch the fire in our stove.

It will be decidedly quiet compared to all the normal festivities of extended family celebrations.  Part of me will miss it terribly.  The other part of me needs the relative quiet.  I need the good night's sleep.  I need to gather just us (in all our messy glory) around our table.  I need to help us focus on the last of our Advent devotional reads (which we never seem to get to).  We need the stability and predictability of being at home.

This past year has been one of many changes and much emotional stretching for all of us. It only seems right that we slow up, hunker down and rest as we usher in God's miraculous gift to us.  He's been giving us gifts all year long that have felt down right extravagant.  To focus on the Gift of Christ almost makes me come undone.  And I want to be home if I am to come undone.  It's just what I need because I know that the grace, peace and love that will put me back together makes me stronger than I was before.  And I need all the Holy Strength I can get.

Whether you're traveling or staying home this Christmas, my prayer for you is that you will allow yourself to come apart a bit.  Contrary to what the world tells us, this week is not about gifts or food or even family.  It's about ushering in the most amazing event of all time.  Be present for it.  Allow it to break and strengthen you and draw you ever closer to the Holy Gift Himself.

Grace, Peace and Love,
Jane


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