christmas. amazing because it is.

Well it's Christmas Eve! Can you believe it? It's amazing how time flies.

I've sure been thinking a lot about Christmas this year. So much so, that I actually got all my Christmas shopping done, gasp, early. Shocker right?

I have been think about Chritmas more than just that, though.

From what I've noticed people see Christmas two ways. One, just a happy, family-oriented, gift-giving holiday. And two, waaay dramatizing the birth of Christ.

I was listening to a song earlier-Amazing Because It Is, by The Almost 

Here are the lyrics: 

I was so scared of everything you put in front of me

I've been marching to every part of me

Just to see

see

Why you need me to be

The boy you need me to be

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saves a wretch like me

I once was lost

And now I'm found

Was blind but now I see

I just wanna see

I'm the type of person who lets fear drive

I'm the type of guy that lets it drive

Cause I'm addicted, I'm needy

I'm lost without you

I need you

I need you

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saves a wretch like me

I once was lost

But now I'm found

Was blind but now I see

As I was listening to this, some vague and distant thoughts kind of came into focus. See for me, when I think of Christmas, yes I thought of the whole 'Jesus coming to earth, goodiness' but for some reason, it never was like "BAM! AMAZING!" and I wondered why. And how many other people felt like I did?

I mean don't get me wrong, I really appreciated and saw the significance of that night, long long ago. It just never struck that one chord in my heart like I thought it should.

And that song I mentioned? It's not the most amazing song in the world, and definitely not Christmas-y, but here's what I realized.

Once again, it's all about love.

And God. Who is love. Everything he is. His magnificence, his glory, his holiness, his forgiveness, his loyalty, his determination, his wisdom, his dreams, his heart- his love. Everything, everything, became evident when Jesus came into our world.

It's not so much about how he came, or all those things, even though those are really important, but it's about Him.

I wish I could put emotions into words. Because this feeling is so amazing. That's why that song spoke to me.

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

that saved a wretch like me"

quite delightful

You know, there's just something so beautiful about being excited! It's such a lovely feeling. One of my favorites actually.

And if you couldn't already tell... I'm feeling rather excited right now!

Would you like to know why?

Well, I just found out that my "older brother" is flying in from Ecuador for my graduation!

So yes, I'm super duper excited.

The last time I saw Manuel was several years ago. I've missed him quite a bit.

When he first came to the United States, he stayed with my family as a foreign exchange student. That was a LONG time ago. BUT!
He's coming back to see me graduate!

I can't wait!