CHRISTMAS.
Christmas broken down is Christ-mas or Christ's mass.
Exploring the definition of the word "mass" brings a fullness to what Christmas really means.
According to Google, "mass" used as a verb means "to assemble or cause to assemble into a mass or as one body."
CHRISTMAS.
CHRIST'S MASS.
Christ taking action to assemble us into one body is CHRISTMAS.
Jesus gathering us to Himself is CHRISTMAS.
JESUS. GATHERING. US.
GRACE.
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"They shall call his name Emmanuel..." (Matthew 1:23 KJV)
THE WAY JESUS CHOSE TO COME WAS UNEXPECTED, UNCONVENTIONAL, UNDERESTIMATED.
HE CAME INTO MY IMPOSSIBILITY... AND YOURS.
He didn't come as a fiery spark that exploded fierce and bright, but he came as a small, sweet, quiet light that grew steady and faithful.
He came dependent, raised on our fractured earth by a flawed young man and a flawed young girl who needed Jesus to come into their own impossibilities.
He arrived dependent, but it is on Him that we need to depend, and when we depend and trust, HE IS THE GOD OF IMPOSSIBILITY.
"For NOTHING is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37 NLT)
Jesus came, and He was called Emmanuel.
EMMANUEL.
GOD WITH US.
God with us in a world racked in ache... sin, sickness, death, failure, pride, shame, abuse, hurt, entitlement, anger, depression, loneliness...
HE CAME.
Emmanuel came into our impossibilities to make all things possible. Holy God came to be with us and gather us to Himself.
What feels impossible in your life and in your heart this Christmas? Your impossibility might be in the deepest caverns of your soul where no one else sees or knows but you. Please remember this Christmas that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us...God with YOU. He came to gather us...Christ's mass... To gather YOU to Himself. Let yourself be gathered, and receive the beautiful grace of His presence in your impossibilities... The grace that may not change your situation, but the grace that helps you to stand.
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To those who are struggling, hurting, or aching, please remember that JESUS CAME...CHRISTMAS CAME all those years ago, and CHRISTMAS WILL COME this year...no matter your circumstance. I want you to hear someone say to you *MERRY* *CHRISTMAS*. Please know you are loved, cared for, and held by the GOD of the universe who humbly came for YOU, because HE LOVES YOU.
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To those who have been faithfully reading the ramblings of my heart, and those who, perhaps, have just found this humble space, I want to wish you and yours a very *MERRY* *CHRISTMAS*. Thank you for coming by. I couldn't share my heart here without YOU.
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May you be blessed with the TRUTH and HOPE of CHRIST'S MASS and EMMANUEL this season.
Much love...All is grace... Always grace,
