This Christmas...

This Christmas was different for me for many reasons. It wasn't filled with tons of shopping to complete long Christmas wish lists or being preoccupied with getting the perfect gift for everyone.  My budget this year pretty much dictated that the holiday season would not be spent that way. And although at first I was disappointed that I would not be able to give in the way that I usually did and worried that the kids and relatives would be disappointed, I realized along the way that this gave me a unique opportunity to truly focus on the true reason for this season, the birth of our Savior, our Prince, our Lord, our King. During this time, I can say that He was certainly Immanuel, because I felt him with me. I still do. Usually I feel a bit disappointed on Christmas Day because the anticipation of the season fades and I am no longer anticipating, but this year I did not feel that.  Thankfully, in its place was the feeling of being in the presence of God and that was the most wonderful gift that I could ever have asked for even though I did not ask for it, but I received anyway because of the amazing love of Christ.