I sat in the crowded gymnasium eagerly awaiting the start of my daughter’s fourth-grade holiday program. She had a speaking part as well as a piano duet with her music teacher, so she was a bundle of nerves, to say the least.
As the curtain opened, I could see her eyes scan the room. She was smiling and looking for me but couldn’t find me. The more she looked, in fact, the more that smile faded. A worried, panicky frown replaced it. Her shoulders drooped. Tears began to well up in her eyes.
At that moment, I stood up. I waved my hands embarrassingly high in the air and shouted her name. She finally looked in my direction, and our eyes met. Instantly, her entire demeanor changed. All she needed was to know she wasn’t alone. All she needed was that one person—her person—supporting her. With me, she could fight the nerves and be brave. With me, she could speak and perform well (which she did!).
During the holidays, perhaps you don’t have the supportive community you wish you did. Maybe you’ve lost a dear loved one. Maybe your marriage is struggling. Maybe your children are estranged from you or you simply feel isolated, unappreciated, or misunderstood. If that is your reality, remember Jesus is with you. Look for Him. Seek His presence. According to John 1:14, He is more than a story in a book. He is more than words on a page. He is “…the Word [that] became flesh and dwelt among us.”
He is your Person. He is mine. And He will be all the support we need.
The miracle of Christmas, after all, isn’t in fancy holiday parties, twinkling lights, or perfectly adorned trees. It’s in knowing Immanuel, God with us. It’s knowing that no matter what circumstances we face, we are not alone. And no matter how easy or difficult life is right now, we can still live this day with bravery and hope because Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. He will be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:5,9).
4 comments
I love this, Ginger! This picture will be sure to stay with me this Christmas.
Thank you!!
Merry CHRISTmas!
Nikki
xo
I’m so glad this blessed you! Merry CHRISTmas to you too! –Ginger
I needed these words this morning. I just found out yesterday that I need to start a chemo treatment for my blood disorder. My tendency is to say “no big deal. God and I have this” without having any real peace behind those words. They aren’t true feelings. I don’t have this. I’m not all together. I know in my head that God has me in this but I’m not feeling it in my heart right now. I need to look out into my audience and see my person (God) sitting there looking directly at me.
Linda, I’m so sorry to hear about your need for chemo treatment, especially this time of year. My heart goes out to you! It’s so hard to “press on” when emotions don’t line up. The great news is we don’t have to be all together or hold everything together on our own. He’s got you, and you can come to Him honest and raw and just the way you are. Please know I am praying fiercely for you today and will continue to pray this holiday season that God reveals Himself tangibly to you with His peace, the peace of His presence, and His healing touch. Thank you so much for commenting. It’s an honor for me. You are not alone! I’m praying for you!