Last week, when I was still miserable about the move to a new office and I was complaining about everything and anything, I declared "there is no Christmas here" to a co-worker who was rather appalled by my statement. I was determined to be angry. Life was not fair, I didn't want to be here, and I hated this country! However, I still missed Christmas songs and found myself singing them in the shower one day.

This was the time of year
I had my family near
But they've all gone and I have been so lonely…

Seemed fitting… I could certainly relate with the song's sentiment this year…

Oh Emmanuel, God with us
Spirit revealed in us
That we may be your hope to the world
Oh Emmanuel, God with us
With a light to break the darkness
That we may show your hope to the world
Emmanuel, God with us

Hmmm… It suddenly hit me that my attitude was totally off. Instead of feeling sorry for myself that I was not where I wanted to be, and that I was not with family or friends, I should be thankful, that Christ left His Father, came from perfection, and came here to earth as Emmanuel (God with us!). It's a story I've been told since before I can remember and yet it is easy to forget when I focus on all the little things in my life

Oh Emmanuel, be God with us…