His Presence Amidst the Presents

"There is no need to produce or perform or perfect – simply become a place for God.

When we think we're the ones who will have to produce Christmas, we only half-wrap the notion that we think the saving of the world begins with us. There is a name for this, and it is called idolatry. 

Only one thing is necessary–be a space for Love to come. You simply have to receive Love. Let yourself be loved. 

Your greatest gift is not your gifts, but your surrendered yes to be a space for God."

{Ann Voskamp – The Greatest Gift}

That's what I've been learning this Christmas. Truly coming to understand the meaning behind that sacred day of December 25th.

For those of you that don't know, half of our house is in under construction. 

We had to replace the hardwood floors in our dining room, kitchen, and breakfast room. 

It has been quite the ordeal. 

We've hardly decorated for Christmas. All we have is one little tree and two stockings hanging on the mantle. 

I can't bake Christmas treats like I normally could due to our basement kitchen being small.

Y'all, there is nothing I love more than to do "all the things" for Thanksgiving and Christmas! 

I love to order Christmas cards, to decorate the whole house, to bake treats with my mom, and watch all the Christmas movies and TV shows I possibly can. 

But, as I was reading in Ann Voskamp's advent devotional, I realized it's not about all that.

It's not about the "fluff"of Christmas. 

Advent is about the prepping, the waiting for His coming. 

And not in how we think to prepare.

"I will simply become a place for God today. There's no need to produce, perform or perfect - simply become a place for God."

It's not the presents to look forward to, it's His presence. 

Jesus isn't going to judge who had the best lights, the best cookies, the best decorations, or the best parties. 

He's going to judge the attitudes of our hearts. 

Are we more focused on the presents, the fluff of Christmas? 

Or are we more prepared for His presence, the reason for Christmas? 

It's something I've come face to face with as I've gone through this season. 

Maybe it was a good thing to have our house under construction. 

It has made me really think about the whole reason for this special day –
Immanuel: God.With.Us.