Yes Virginia, There Is An Emmanuel....

Yes, it really happened....There was a stable...there was a manger...
and there in the midst of it, was...Emmanuel. 
God with Skin on.

"The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!" - Luke 2:20 

But, Mary stayed face to Face with The Very Son of God.

Can you imagine...

All of God's Promises to her rang precisely true....
down to the each and every detail.....

"Mary kept all these things to herself, 
holding them dear, deep within herself"-Luke 2:19

The Birth of her First Born Son...
Was she wondering why Joseph had not hired a night nurse?
Was she concerned about where to send thank you notes to the kings with no addresses?
Was she wondering who left the banana bread or who left the wine?

Imagine the elation...the flood of overwhelming gratitude...
The proximity and intimacy with God Himself!

She held Him.

He holds us.

She fed Him.
He feeds us.

She heard Him cry.

He hears us cry. 

She gave Him a place to rest. 
He gives us a place to rest.

She changed Him...
He changed her...
He changes us....

She found joy in Him...
He finds joy in us.

God, Thank You for stepping down from Your Throne to come here for each and every one of us. Happy Birthday.

In The Dust of The Stable,
DCC

Be Not Afraid....

"Don't be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy,

 news that will affect all people everywhere." ~Luke 2:10

Our God is with us!!!

Yesterday afternoon was full of giggles for some...and others....not so much.

As I watched what seemed to be some kind of ancient interrogation methods 

upon very well dressed shorties.....

 It struck me that this is what so many of us adults feel too, during this time of year... 

 The man in the red suit might not strike terror in us.....

But other things this time of year sure do....

Long lists and short hours....

gift selecting, locating and buying.....

other drivers on the streets....

People's expectations that are impossible to meet....

Overcommitments...

Family members......

Silent nights are nowhere near.....

but don't be leery....

Take heart!!!

Our God is with us!!! 

Right in the middle of the very chaos we are rushing around in...

He is among us! 

We can run TO Him.

We don't have to fear "the fat man in a red suit"....

We have among us, The King of Kings...

The Lion of Judah.

The Maker of all things...

You included.

"Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see-how good God is

Blessed are you who run to Him" Psalm 34:8

God, May we create time to taste Your Presence during this season....

Sprinkle our souls with Your Peace....may we inhale a little more of You in every handful.  

In His Dust,

DCC

Advent....God With Us

Advent is defined as the arrival of a notable person, thing or event. 

This time of year, I find myself in a quandary.
I spend half of my time wanting things to slow down so we can soak this time in...
while the other half I spend wanting things to hurry up!
Aren't we all ready for a break!! Somedays life feels heavy, busy and even scary 
While other days we feel like our cups runneth over with blessings...

Half the time I am honking at cars on the highway to get out of my way....
the other half of the time, I am acting like I am real patient, in the church parking lot. 

Whether you find yourself waiting impatiently, or enjoying the days that lead up to Christmas...I pray you find the love, hope joy and peace that is found in The Baby in the manger. 
I pray you find peace in the present, for He is with us.

"A virgin will conceive and bear a Son and His Name will be Immanuel- 

which means God with us." ~Matthew 1:23

God Thank You for coming a distance we can not fathom, just to be with us.

In His Dust,
DCC

Mary Sue...

I had Thanksgiving lunch with "a pilgrim on hand."

 K and I decided my broken finger looked boring. 

So, she googled this chick... 

and the next thing I knew....a pilgrim named Mary Sue was born.

Much like her ancestors Mary Sue sailed in to the shores of San Antonio, in a black suburban-while watching movies the whole trip.

She landed in the promise land of Hee Hee and Mac Mac and was welcomed with pink lemonade and Hershey kisses-

As we passed thanks around the table she was "thankful for shelter." Not kidding. 

In the meantime other family members were grateful for marshmallows. Before I knew it, Mary Sue's creator was craving and sculpting some butter and creating a bathtub for a fellow tired and dirty pilgrim.

Mac Mac even added a faucet made out of stuffing.

I started thinking about how easy it was for K, much like my dad...to create.

They have a gift for looking at something, or even nothing, and either drawing, designing or creating it in moments.

Much like The Father we ALL share.

"Every detail was crafted through His design, by His Own Hands, and for His purposes." ~Colossians 1:16

This includes you and me. Every detail He created in us is by His Own Hands.

He makes beautiful things....out of dust. 

Out of His Own Image.

Mind. Blowing.

God, thank you for the way you created us by design and for Your Purposes.

In His Dust,

DCC