We have had unseasonably warm temperatures, making it not ‘feel’ like Christmas. But with the snow falling outside and the living room lit with LED candles, I turned the fireplace on and sat cozy with a cup of tea and a warm blanket on the couch.

The atmosphere was set to experience the evening. I searched for The Nativity Story to stream through our television.

Then a question dropped in my heart: Are you experiencing the fullness of this season? Is it about the falling snow outside? LED tea lights? The fireplace glowing?  

As I thought about these questions and looked around at my surroundings, it may seem that the atmosphere was set, but not “really.”

I mean, the candles weren’t really glowing with a small flame dancing with the movement in the room. The fireplace “looked” as if it was burning but not three-dimensional, with the colors of heat dancing within the wood pieces in the dog grate (freestanding metal holder inside the fireplace opening). 

Pondering the question, I realized I hadn’t ever experienced this type of setting. I mean, with real candles burning and a real fireplace glow as it heats the room. 

Then I heard these words within my being: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.

Then another question was dropped: Are you experiencing the fullness of The Messiah?

Wow, that’s a good question. Am I?

This past year, we (Bob and I) have journeyed down paths we have never walked before. We experienced The Wonderful Counselor when my mother passed away. The Prince of Peace when I got diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Immanuel (God with us) as I started chemo treatments. Jehovah Rapha (the Lord who heals) when my scans came back “Cancer Free.”

In these situations, we experienced one aspect of the Messiah but did not always recognize His fullness.

He is the Prince of Peace. But also, HE is the Mighty God, King of kings, and Lord of all.

So, as we come upon the day we celebrate the birth of Our Messiah, let us not think only of Jesus as a babe lying in the manger. But let us celebrate the FULLNESS of our Savior. And not just on December 25th but every day.  

From the sincerity of our hearts, we are very grateful for all the faith-filled prayers prayed on our behalf this year. James 5:15

May each of us experience the fullness of The Messiah this season and always.

Merry Christmas.