A gift for you: A playlist for celebrating the gift of Jesus!

Let's stay firmly rooted in the Incarnation story, friends. Keep singing about the manger, shepherds, and angels as we build toward praying the words of Simeon and Anna in the temple and celebrating the magi's arrival. Notice the characters, ask the Father of Jesus to make you worshipers like the very first who bowed in adoration to His son.

You'd think the celebrating part would be easier than waiting. Like all other spiritual practices, though, the celebration comes with its own comforts and challenges. How do we stay present to the feast without our underdeveloped senses dulling too quickly?  How do we keep a soft, pliable grasp on the delights of Christmas, rather than trying to pin the legs of the thing down into some sort of worn-out wonder?

I don't know.  I've only just begun to ask the question. More than once already this Christmas I've experienced what I endearingly term a "Christmas cry".

I know this much. Because of Christ's first coming, and in anticipation for his second, our waiting -- good, bad, or ugly -- turns to celebration. Between what we've learned about waiting during Advent, and anticipating the feasting of Christmastide, we hope to walk through these days thoughtfully, joyfully, and graciously.

 Know that you are not alone. All across the world, Christians are celebrating the great festival of Christmastide. 

Celebrating with you on this merry fourth day of Christmas,

Tamara