Here With Us

For so many, this is truly the most wonderful time of the year.  I would say this rings true for our household with the NCAA college basketball tournament coming in a close second.  This morning as I look out our window taking in the beauty of freshly fallen snow against a grey sky, my heart stirs as I reflect on all that is beautiful about this season.  It is a season defined by mystery and awe, twinkling lights, ribbons long, packages pretty; a season of thoughtful giving, joyful receiving, gathering, preparing, waiting and anticipation. 

As our children grow and their understanding of Christmas develops, we find ourselves embracing the spirit of the season through their eyes.  Each strand of light hung calls for celebration, each tree decorated deserves pause and appreciation, holiday music blares loudly as our bodies move to and fro celebrating each drum beat, bell and chorus.  More importantly, as they grow we find ourselves considering the many traditions of the season, and as parents we are deciding which ones we will highlight and embrace as our own.  This year, more than ever, my heart swells as I look into the eyes of our sweet ones and desire above all things for them to know deeply the profound miracle of Christmas, its meaning, and significance.  How the gift of a baby born in a lowly manger is beyond any perfectly wrapped box they will discover under the tree.  How even the brightest and most intricate display of Christmas lights would seem insignificant compared to that of the heavenly host proclaiming the Savior's birth in the night sky.  How the adventure of driving across state lines bound for Wisconsin is nothing compared to the journey of wise men following star bright.  How the faith, obedience and humility of a young couple resulted in the greatest gift ever given, a baby born to save the souls of men. 


It's still a mystery to me

That the hands of God could be so small,
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky



Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King,
You're here with us
You're here with us


It's still a mystery to me, oh,
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony,
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep


Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
Here with us
You're here with us

Jesus the Christ, born in Bethlehem
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Son of God, Servant King
You're here with us
You're here with us

sung by Joy Williams