God wiff us

“His name shall be called ‘Immanuel’, which means?”

I paused waiting for someone to answer.

“God wiff us,” came from a small raspy voice in our little circle. And then several more voices said it quickly in that "I knew that too" way.

“Right. Immanuel, which means God with us,” as I turned the page.

The livingroom was dark except for the light of the tree. I kept the kids up past bedtime to wait for Daddy and Uncle John to get home from the Christmas Eve service. We all gathered together on the floor to read our beloved and well-worn Advent book. I wish I could tell you that they all sat perfectly, soaking in every word.

My kids are really good at that special art of yelling whispers, that tone that’s almost like a growl: “She’s pushing me” “I can’t see” “Its my turn!” “I wanna read it myself!” “Ew Mom, Micah’s drooling!” “I CAN’T SEE!”

I read, “For God so loved the World that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but live forever.” I closed the book, with a small bit of relief that it was the last page. “Ok lets pray.”

The little ones thanked the Lord for Christmas, for “this food” (we weren’t eating), the Christmas tree and a few other things. And then the older ones prayed for their sick brother, a teacher with cancer, and that in the morning they would remember that Christmas isn’t just about presents but about Jesus. Ok, they’re getting it.

Christmas morning we had a big breakfast before diving into presents. We’d all “had Christmas” twice already with Grandparents. So the kids were surprisingly patient to have breakfast and watch a little of White Christmas and  play while we cleaned up.

~~~

This morning I woke up to a news feed full of beautiful Christmas pictures. Clean, smiling children in matching Christmas pajamas in front of a perfect tree. I searched the pictures on my phone to contribute a Merry Christmas from the Spencers.

Um, nevermind.

My kids weren’t really in Christmas PJs at all, much less matching. I should have given baths the night before but ran out of time. A few of the stockings had fallen from the mantle because they were too heavy. The tree had been “redecorated” several times in spite of my empty threats. Our presents are wrapped in Disney Princess paper and not the Pintrest-trendy craft paper and twine. And it’s nearly impossible to get Abby and Kate to sit still for pictures and look at the camera. (It’s just too much to ask, apparently.) Micah's on day 3 of a fever and my kids all had some awesome bedhead going on. Do people fix all their kids' hair before taking Christmas pictures???

We're kind of a mess.

But. 

We had a wonderful Christmas. We played board games and made cookies and watched movies. The kids ran through the house playing (loudly) with their new toys. We had a big, delicious (if I do say so) dinner and went to bed full and happy. I love my big crazy family and I can’t imagine it any other way.

Today is the day after Christmas. And I’m thankful that today, Immanuel still means God with us and that God is still with us.

The creator of the world, came as a child. I know all about what it looks like to birth a child and watch them grow. God came as that? He came in the most humble way possible. He became one of us. To save us. He knew we needed saving. 

And the only way to do that was to be with us. 

Immanuel. 

Savior... which is Christ the Lord. “God wiff us.”

Rather you're having a picture perfect year, you're a hot mess (like us), you're going through something difficult or celebrating your best year ever: He's with us. And that's all that's needed, all that matters.

Merry Christmas 2014, from our family to yours.