Christmas, 2010

Christmas will be a different venue this year: taking care of elderly parents. James' mother is sick with the flu and cannot take care of his father. We will spend Christmas Eve in a house full sickness and dementia; unlike the Christmases of the past 37 years of marriage when the house has been full of laughter, boys, games, boys, sports, boys, video games, boys, and now grandchildren.

I have been praying about the new circumstance and feeling God's presence. God has reminded me that Jesus was not born in a comfortable place, free of sin, sickness and death; but born in the midst of the reality of life.

The true miracle of Christmas is not found in the pageantry of a great Christmas Eve service, which we will probably miss tonight. The true miracle of Christmas is the truth that God is with us (Emmanuel) in old age, sickness, and in the reality and imperfection of our lives.

Merry Christmas to you all, no matter where you are celebrating Christmas this year! Our daughter-in-law Casey will be spending Christmas night as the Resident Chaplain at Harris Methodist Hospital downtown. We pray she will feel God's presence in the midst of the reality of life there.

(Picture taken at Thanksgiving - we are going to need a bigger golf cart!)