He Is Here!

Before the Thanksgiving turkey was barely out of the oven, I started hearing the question, "Are you getting excited about Christmas?" I've wondered how to exactly answer it. With social politeness? or brutal honesty?

It's not that I don't enjoy the Christmas season; I do! Seeing family, music that makes the heart soar, baking and cooking sprees, special decorations around my home... it's a hubub of activity, surprises and fun! Why wouldn't I be excited?

Advent for me is not just about packages and a baby sleeping in a cow's food dish. It's a reminder that I need to do some serious housekeeping in my heart. What I'm thinking, what my goals are, where I'd like to be spiritually a year from now, how far I fall short of where I'd like to be -- these are the first thoughts that run through my mind. THEN I start to think about my "To Do" list!

It isn't as though Jesus isn't with us all year. I seem to live as thought I'd forgotten that.

He is Here!
How does that impact how I live and breathe and work each day?

He is Here!
What do I need to change, to cast aside, in order to be more like Him? More reflective of the Lord who cast aside heaven to become sin for me?

He is Here!
He cares about who I am, how well I follow Him. He'd prefer I obey willingly, but with mercy and grace waits until I'm willing to try, with His help, to master a more perfect obedience. I deny Him. I cling to my old ways, and like a toddler with a dirty face, avert mine every time He offers to wipe me clean...

Oh... how much I need Him... and occasionally, I even remember that. My heart's yearning is to look up, and see - - and remember... that He is here...