The Gift

Published on by Nancy

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, I sang as I lit the candles on my table.

I noticed the E had slipped off my peace sign. As I went to straighten it, still singing the words of that familiar Christmas carol, I thought about how the E in PEACE could represent Emmanuel.

There’s no real peace without him.

No peace in our hearts.

No peace in our relationships.

No peace in our world.

No real or lasting peace can be found anywhere else ~ O come, O come Emmanuel.

We often talk about that first Christmas and the gift we received through the babe in the manger.

The perfect gift given that no other gift could ever outdo or outshine.

Emmanuel: God with us.

As I fixed the E, I thought about how I was bringing (or not bringing) Emmanuel into my family, my relationships, my little corner of the world and beyond.

I don’t want to just receive the gift. I want to give the gift.

But I know I can’t humanly do that unless I invite the gift into my own life and not just once but everyday. O come, O come Emmanuel.

I need him here, now … right where I am.

Bob and I have conversations about this as he struggles with his health. We’ve talked about how we need Emmanuel to come daily into our situation. We have sung or just recited those words as a prayer often through the month of December… O come, O come Emmanuel. Here now. In this present moment. God with us. Emmanuel.

We’ve also examined ourselves in the days leading up to Christmas to make sure (as far as it depends on us) that we have given the gift of peace to others in our lives, offering forgiveness, asking for forgiveness and extending grace and love to others. O come, O come Emmanuel.

The broken parts of the world around us can only be mended as we carry the light into the dark. Emmanuel, the light in us leads the way.

These are the gifts that mean the most to us this year. The gifts we will give and hope to receive.

How about you? What gifts can you give to others? How can you bring Emmanuel into your life and into your relationships this Christmas? Real peace comes from the Prince of Peace. It’s that settled feeling deep in our souls that we are right with God and others.

Image: mindful christianity

Some gifts can only be wrapped in love and given in peace.

Blessings,

Nancy

21 thoughts on “The Gift”

  1. I appreciate your gifts of love and peace and prayers for Tom and I. You and Bob are such a blessing to us . May your hearts be filled with the peace only Jesus can give. Love you both

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  3. Good point, Nancy. Of course, without the E, “Peace” becomes “Pace,” and the pace if our lives seems to pick up exponentially at this time of year, giving us anything BUT peace! Thanks for the reminder. I’m going to try to slow it down today and only do what’s really important. 😉❤️

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    1. That’s a good point too. I have to be intentional about slowing down and remembering what’s truly important. Thanks for your comment. ❤️

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    1. Thank you, Gail. I agree. Hope is an essential part of our faith and we receive it when we receive him. May we find ways to bless others with everything he pours into us! Blessings to you and yours this Christmas! ❤️

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  8. Emmanuel, God with us. He is our only true peace. Thank you for such a beautiful reminder. Love you sister! 🌟💛🌟

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