I’ve spent the last few days thinking about what I want to say to you for our first Christmas together. My memory went to something I wrote several years ago when my journey was dark, walking with my mom as she battled cancer. In some ways, it seems appropriate to share my thoughts on my last Christmas with my mom as we celebrate our first Christmas together.

My shopping is mostly complete. The decorations have been up for weeks. Most of the parties have been attended. Now I get to take a few days off. The Christmas holiday bustle is in full swing in the Agee home. 

In the midst of it, though, I’m trying to find some quiet moments to reflect and renew. This holiday, among all the others, is the most precious for me. It’s filled with childhood memories of my mom, aunts, and uncles trying to fill the empty spaces my father left. It’s memories of my first Christmas with my bride and best friend Wanda as we began our life together. It’s memories filled with squeals and the frenzy only your children can bring on a Christmas morning. 

But this Christmas, barring a miracle, is probably the last I’ll spend with my mom. As a grown-up with a few scars and lots of gray hairs, I’m beginning to understand, I hope, the concept of Immanuel, God with us. We have a God who loves us so very much. He became one of us to serve us, to take our punishment, and provide a path back to eternity for us. Christmas is a celebration of His arrival and the beginning of that sacrifice. Christmas is the first step of many that lead eventually to Calvary.

Immanuel, God with us. I can’t truly fathom the depth of a gift like that. 

From all of us at AllWorship, we pray you enjoy a very merry, blessed Christmas season and a happy New Year. I’m Mike Agee.