Fixing Our Eyes on Emmanuel in a Distracted World

Ever have a memory resurface that felt like a puppy nipping at your heels? Unless you give it some attention, it is not going away anytime soon. I have had one this week. It forced me back in time to when our kids were preschool age, specifically Steven. That boy has always been full of energy, his mind never stops, or his mouth.  So, you can imagine the parenting challenge when it came to giving him instruction. The difficulty was not that he was disobedient, it was getting his full attention.

 I remember several times grabbing him by the shoulders, turning him to face me and getting down on my knees so we were eye to eye. I would then cup his little face in my hands and say, “Steven I want you to look at me.” His eyes would dart back and forth, avoiding direct contact with mine. He would look at anything but me.  “Bub, I need you to look me in the eyes. I have something very important to tell you.  I need to know you are listening.” Finally, he would stop glancing around the room.  His eyes would lock with mine and I knew he was in the moment with me. 

God has used this echo from my past to speak truth to me this holiday season. It sounds strange, I know. But let me explain.

I love this time of year. It is the season when the whole world gives witness to a parade of reminders whispering that once upon a time, a child was born who would save the world. Heaven kissed the earth with the sweet sound of salvation found in the coo of an infant child. I never tire from the miracle of God being clothed in flesh and living among us.

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.”
Matthew 1:23

Yet despite all the Christ-centered visual prompts this glorious season presents, I find myself more distracted by shiny things than any other time of the year. Just being honest. The pull is strong to get wrapped up in-
the gifts rather than the Giver
the lights rather than the Light of the World
the perfect decorations rather than the Perfect One

My eyes dart back and forth chasing all that glitters, avoiding His gaze.  He whispers, “Fix your eyes on Me. In the hustle of the season, see me. Look for me. Don’t get lost in the swirl of activity. Slow the pace. Breathe. Be intentional about what is important not what seems urgent. Look at each waking moment through the lens of eternity. Do not borrow sorrow from tomorrow, live in the grace I have given you for today.” 

My eyes finally stop glancing around, our eyes lock and I see Him.  We sit together. All the flashy things begin to fade and I see clearly that He is Emmanuel, God who is with me, God who is with you. 

So, will you join me this season in praying a simple prayer?

“God, give me the ability to seek and recognize your presence, that I may live fully aware of Emmanuel, God with me.”

This season, let’s find hope in the journey.

Evelyn