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A Christmas Eve — Just For Us

By Bonnie Gray • December 24, 2009 • 13 Comments

It’s Christmas Eve … What are your plans? The question of where I will be and who I will be with comprise the top questions of the week.   Practically every conversation that I’ve found myself drawn into, leading up this day, has either started with these questions or inevitably concluded with the whole topic of place and company.

In other words, these standard holiday salutation and inquiries point to a deeper revelation of our belonging and value.  That is why the Christmas season is one of the busiest time of the year.  We are all trying to find our place at a table and an invitation to be somewhere.

In the most silent of nights, our hearts long to be someone and experience home. 

This Christmas Eve, I wonder at the story of God. Why He arrived during an annoying government census, that moved new parents away from home. How He chose to give the good news first to shepherds who called cold, dark fields their home.

God’s plan for His first Christmas Eve is not (at all) what we might have planned for ourselves.    He chose to come this way, to bring us back to Him.

It spells H-O-M-E-C-O-M-I-N-G for you and me.
W
e are someone special because we are with Him tonight
.

(Sigh) I wish we all lived close enough and had an extra hour appear somewhere.  I’d invite you over, to share a Christmas fave this evening.  Makes me smile thinking about it.  It’s nothing fancy.  But, baking them infuses the house with a sweet fragrance that makes this place feel like home.  In sharing something simple, we can be together.

In lieu of being in person, I send you a sampling of Christmas cookies present and past to wish you a very Merry Christmas …

Christmas Eve — Just For Us

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

However Christmas finds us, we know God has us;

In the palm of His Hands, we all belong;

Quietly, silently, Christmas arrives — for each of us —

Making His Home in us, no matter what shape we are in…

Celebrating...

 

Hurting...

Hurting…

Happy...

Happy…

Busy...

Busy…

Colorfully Unique...

Content...

Content…

In Progress...

In Progress…

We are all made by scratch... to belong... to be valued... by Him.

We are all made from scratch… to belong… to be valued… by Him.

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13 Comments

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13 Comments

  • Reply Maureen December 24, 2009 at 4:40 am

    Would love to spend Christmas Eve with you!!! 🙂 I’ll be in Bethlehem though, thinking of what it was like where I’ll be standing 2000 + years ago….

    Merry Christmas, Bonnie!!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray December 26, 2009 at 8:31 am

      Amazing to imagine… getting goosebumps to be standing THERE. Merry Christmas, Maureen!

  • Reply Doug Spurling December 24, 2009 at 6:00 am

    Merry Christmas.

  • Reply Tweets that mention A Christmas Eve — Just For Us | Faith Barista -- Topsy.com December 24, 2009 at 7:47 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by FaithBarista, FaithBarista. FaithBarista said: New Post — What R Ur Plans Tonight? http://bit.ly/6L6MHO A Christmas Eve Just For Us >> I made U some Christmas cookies […]

  • Reply Mari Mayborn December 24, 2009 at 8:57 am

    Thank you, Jesus. That every day we can be a work in progress in Your loving hands. All because you care enough to come to us, abide with us and give Your life to give us life. Thank you, Lord, Immanuel.

    Merry Christmas, Bonnie! Thank you for always pointing us to Him!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray December 26, 2009 at 8:32 am

      Amen. Blessings in His work within you!

  • Reply Maureen (Mo) December 24, 2009 at 10:59 am

    I’ll be right over as soon as I get my horse and sleigh in gear (we’ve still got a lot of snow).

    Merry Christmas, Bonnie. May your New Year be filled with His grace and joy.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray December 26, 2009 at 8:33 am

      Thank you for that blessing – I’ll take it!

  • Reply Anne Lang Bundy December 24, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Making His Home in us, no matter what shape we are in

    Because in Him, we are perfect.

    Absolutely delightful photos. Merry Christmas, Bonnie.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray December 26, 2009 at 8:33 am

      Merry Christmas, Anne. Amen.

  • Reply cathleen December 25, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    Sorry, I’ve arrived a day late. 🙂
    I spent Christmas eve at a worship serivce and sang my heart out. Today I’m squeaking like a mouse.
    The service was unlike any I have been too. Instead of soley concentrating on Jesus’s birth, we celebrated communion remembering His death…the reason He came…and looked with hope forward to His return. It was amazing!
    Merry Christmas,Bonnie!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray December 26, 2009 at 8:35 am

      A good day-after affect of joy — that squeaking.. ! Sounds like very worshipful and meaningful. I haven’t been to a Christmas Eve service like that.

  • Reply LikelyYou.com September 4, 2019 at 11:46 am

    With a comforter, fitted sheet, dust ruffle and keepsake box, this set is the perfect starting point for your little one’s bedding. The gray tones are neutral to match just about anything and the classic Disney design is ideal for any gender. Pro tip: Flip the quilt for an entirely new look!

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