Immanuel is the Reason
Immanuel is the Reas By Michelle Early
I love the good things about this time of year; temperatures drop, and the snow begins to fall, and joy and kindness demonstrations abound as folks pass through the streets. Compassion and kindness come out of hiding in December, and that’s what I love to see. “It’s time for breakfast, sweetheart!” I heard my wife announce through my thoughts. We had been married for almost one year, and this was to be our first Christmas together as a married couple. I was excited about our planned trip to Hawaii, but then the reality of both of our work schedules kicked in, and we were forced to postpone our trip. So instead of sunny, warm Hawaii for Christmas, we were stuck in cold, dreary Maryland. Of course, our families were excited, but I was not. I’m no Scrooge or Grinch, but I’m tired of the extravagance. “Coming dear!” I responded as I stood from my desk. I had been sitting there writing the sermon for tomorrow’s service before I got lost in my thoughts. I had been lead pastor of Greater Hope Church for five years. Unlike every other Sunday that I had preached, the words for the message were not coming to me. It was as though God had withheld His Spirit from my writing. I felt empty as I sat at that desknothing was in me, and nothing was coming to me. Marilyn could handle it, and that’s why she offered to cook breakfast for me at five a.m.. She was a beautiful woman, and I loved being with her, but this Christmas was different. As I sat at the table, Marilyn came over and held my hand as she led us in grace. When she finished, she smiled and gestured for me to eat. I was starving because I had barely grazed the night before, but my mind would not allow my hands to move or my mouth to chew. “You have to eat, Judah,” she said lovingly, “this will help you as you go into the study.” When we had finished, she kissed me and sent me on my way as she cleared the table and washed the dishes. I reluctantly went back to my desk and stared out of the office window. As I looked out at the swing in our yard, I uttered, “I miss you both” to my parents in heaven. It had been only a few months since their fateful car crash, and this is my first Christmas without them. Christmas was their favorite time of year, and they made each Christmas more memorable than the one before. I was so looking forward to spending my first Christmas with Marilyn at their home, but then a drunk driver took them and
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