good tidings of great joy

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you'll enjoy all the sights and smells and sounds of the holiday. And that, in spite of the craziness that surrounds us each day, you'll remember one very important thing:

 You are loved.

You are loved so much that a King, who is worthy of all our praise and worship, humbled Himself to be born in the quiet of a dirty stable to a mother and father who were flawed, just like us. A King who could have come with trumpets and banners but, instead, chose to experience the joy and pain of life the way we do so we would trust in Him and follow His example. A King who became a servant and, by doing so, revealed His glory. And His grace.

Emmanuel. God with us.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.