Christmas is almost here and I am not ready. Three nights in the hospital last weekend didn’t help, but frankly, I would have been behind anyway. I’m a little lost this year, a little distracted, a little slow. I’m a little scared.

But I keep remembering that He came. I keep remembering the baby boy born long ago. I listen to the songs about His birth and I am stirred. I listen to the songs of why He came and I weep.

He came.

He chose to come and I am undone. He chose to come for me. For Marissa. For my family. For you. He came as a baby but showed His great love by living His life intent on dying. Intent on suffering. Intent on saving.

He came.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14

The God-man lived His gentle, selfless, serving life with no thought of His rights or His position. Focused on His plan. Focused on loyal love. Focused on grace and His Father’s glory.

He came and He will come again.

But He also comes to us today. He comes into our heart if we invite Him. He comes near when we draw near to Him. He comes when we are tired of self and sin. He comes in the bleakness of a cancer diagnosis. He comes when we are struggling–when we are failing and falling and sad. He comes when we are overwhelmed. He comes when we are full of doubt, when we are scared, when we are weak.

He comes. He brings peace. He brings light. He brings joy.

He brings Himself. He comes.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come.