A Christmas Story
Throughout my childhood and well into my adult years, at bedtime I used to say that famous prayer, “Here I lay me down to sleep, I pray thee lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray thee lord my soul to take.”
That prayer always comforted me. Sometimes I still say it and envision the same scene just because I like how it feels. But now I greet Jesus first and hold his cheeks adoringly as I smile into his eyes, squish my nose up playfully, and then take his hand. I don’t know why I do this; it just feels good to love Jesus right in the eyes.
As the celebration of Jesus’s birth is upon us, I think about the Christ that he was here to illuminate in all of us: that exquisitely perfect love that courses through every being, through all of life, through these very words.
By holy grace I know Jesus and the presence of Christ very well. It is surely this that now makes me want to put my hands adoringly on the cheeks of everyone far and wide, squish my nose up playfully, then take their hands and go for a walk towards the bright light.
Alas, the best I can do is offer this holiday post to joyfully love each of you right in the eyes.
As this incredible year draws to a close I thank you all for the gift of your company, and for your continued love and support. I look forward to seeing what life has in store for us in 2018.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, happy all-holidays and a healthy, happy, harmonious New Year!
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