Julie and Nick fly back to Atlanta today. It was our last Christmas as the five of us: Tom, me, Nick N., Julie and Nick A. They will have a seven month old with them next Christmas and it will be all about the baby. Seeing Julie's "baby bump" and feeling Little One moving inside her definitely kicked up the anticipation. After the May miscarriage she didn't feel it was real until Little One moved and she felt another life inside her own. The results from the most recent ultrasound lay sealed and wrapped under the Akin Christmas tree for the two of them to open Christmas morning. We'll find out whether we have a grandson or granddaughter on Monday evening when we arrive in Atlanta and share dinner with Nick's family. For dessert we'll have cake with white icing. When we cut into it we'll discover either pink or blue cake. What a "sweet" way to announce who's on the way.
God sent Mary, a virgin, the confirmation she needed to prepare herself emotionally and mentally to have His Child. He sent an angel with the news, normal physical changes to confirm her pregnancy, her older cousin Elizabeth to testify to the Truth, and her own Joseph with his own angelic revelation. Still, how much "pondering" did it take to absorb the fact that God Himself had joined with her to conceive the kicking Child inside her? A couple of years later, when she was more than likely changing His diaper or trying to keep him from injuring Himself on Joseph's carpentry tools, strange men showed up at the door to worship her little man. They knelt and laid before Him gifts fit for a king, reminding her again why it was all about the Baby.
Father, You're with us to guide us in paths of Peace through the days that seem miracle-free. The chores and work get us down but Your Presence can make it all worthwhile if we'll stop and remember it's all about You. You are Emmanuel, God with us, and we celebrate the 24/7 vigil You keep over us. Help us do the same with You: gazing at you in silent adoration or bowing before You placing our best gifts at Your disposal. Lead us and keep leading us. Give us eyes to see the guiding stars You place in our skies and help us follow with resolve and exceedingly great joy!
In the name of Jesus, God in flesh, God forever!
"The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." Matthew 2:9-11
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