To Read on the Journey

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Empty

The house is so empty.
We begin the end of November, bringing Jesus out. Inviting Him to be a part of everyday. Inviting Him, and His life to be the center of our attention. The tree, lights, Christmas dishes, ornaments, stockings... are really dressed up balloons, crepe paper, and banners representing Jesus' birthday, representing that He is "Emmanuel God with us."
My life is affected by the fullness of His presence. I cannot ignore the fullness of His presence.
But now all the birthday decorations are tucked away in the attic, and the house feels empty.
I feel empty.
My life is affected by the emptiness. I cannot ignore the emptiness. I am faced with a decision. To let Jesus be present all year, or to tuck him away in the attic, miss Him for a while, but eventually get use to the emptiness. Getting use to the business, and over committing I do to ignore that emptiness. When all I need, and really want, all year, everyday, every moment is "Emmanuel God with us" with me.

Awaken what's inside of me
Tune my heart to all you are to me
And even though Your here
God come
May the vision of You be the death of me
And even though you've given everything
Jesus Come
words by Shane & Shane

6 comments:

Jennifer said...

You're so right - we do so easily and quickly fill up that empty space, in our homes, in our lives, and in our hearts. May God bless us with hearts that REMEMBER this New Year.
Love to you,
Jen

lindsey said...

i feel the same way denise. i almost left out our nativity scene just to have the reminder. almost.

Kristen said...

So true Denise! I still have my stuff up because I am not ready to have that emptiness, but the day is coming when it will all come down. How to keep Him the center and focus all year like we do when we are celebrating his birth is the challenge - one I need to work on consistently this year for myself and as a model for my kiddos. Thanks for sharing your heart!

nikki said...

I agree, before Christmas everything is so happpy and cheerful and loving, but after Christmas everything kind of becomes bah, boring, and dull! Sometimes it hard to remeber the true meaning of Christmas, in this crazy, messed up world, we call earth!

Jennifer Partin said...

Your words ring so true! (although we still have our decorations out) I do leave my Willow Tree nativity set out year round. Thanks for the post!

Earen said...

Wow, what a wonderful post Denise! I loved your words & the words by Shane. I never thought of it that way, but that now is the emptiness I do feel in the January months & I'm going to remind myself that the Lord still fills this home & so does His presence. Thank you for a great post.