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“And they will name Him (Jesus) Immanuel which is translated God with us.” Matthew 1:23b (HCSB)

Jingle bells, warm sugar cookies, holiday tunes filling the air, trees covered with bright shiny lights – gotta love the sights and sounds of Christmas! Holiday photos fill our mail boxes. School and church programs crowd our schedules. Shopping dominates our mind as we search for the perfect gifts counting down the days.

But what happens when Christmas normal, Christmas familiar and Christmas joy is interrupted? Lonely looms large in crowded malls. Sadness overwhelms when happy surrounds. And yes, avoiding the “Big Day” can seem like the better option.

Life interrupted ……. wasn’t that Mary’ story? Engaged to Joseph yet expecting the Christ child, Son of God. What she had planned, what she had anticipated totally changed in a single moment. Her new normal unexplainable. Maybe we find ourselves this Christmas interrupted by the unexpected. Maybe life isn’t as we thought it should be. An empty chair around the table evokes precious memories. An empty house silences our joy. Perhaps chemo overrides our appetite or family drama drowns out the gifts under the tree. Finances deplete our menu or work exhausts every waking moment of our day.

Love Mary’s response to interrupted. Love her joy and praise of the One who changed and altered her life. Love her words that resonate deep of God’s holiness, love and greatness. Embracing rather than rejecting. Believing rather than doubting. Accepting rather than demanding. And in the midst of the unexplainable, Immanuel, God came near. The very Son of God lay in her arms, brushed against her cheek and transformed her world.

Whatever we face this Christmas, Immanuel is near. His presence wraps around the weary. His presence collects the tears. His presence fills our empty and transforms interrupted, unexplainable into extraordinary.

“Father, in Your presence life interruptions are transformed into glorious praise!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break