Here we are, the last Sunday of advent has passed and we are in the final days of this season of anticipation. Gifts for cousins, grandparents, aunties, and uncles are wrapped and under our Christmas tree; my gifts for Mark are still hiding in various places around the house hoping for a few minutes alone to wrap them. My pad of paper is waiting for me to finish my menu for Christmas morning and make a grocery list of the ingredients I’ll need for the fresh guacamole, pumpkin dip, sweet potato casserole, and dark chocolate bark.

Maybe you still have some gifts to purchase or stockings to stuff.  Perhaps you don’t have your menu done yet, and you’re like me and in the midst of planning dishes to bring to parties, you forgot to make sure you had lunch for your family yesterday (yup, that’s real life around here sometimes).

Wherever you are as the week of Christmas begins, this is my prayer for each of you,

I pray you will be captivated this week by God’s love for you.

As you ponder difficult relationships, losses over the last year, and where God will lead you in the year to come, may you know Him as your Wonderful Counselor who freely gives wisdom to any who asks.

While you celebrate the birth of the Messiah may you remember that He grew up to be your Mighty God able and available for whatever is facing you.

As you receive gifts this week I pray you would know the Eternal Father is the giver of all good gifts, and is always working on your behalf.

In the middle of menus, kids’ Christmas outfits, and parties, I plead on your behalf that you would experience Him as your Prince of Peace.

Lord, let these mommas know you as Immanuel.

Praise you God, you are with us.