Christmastime in the City

Merry Christmas, everyone! It's Allison here writing Christmas greetings. Abe and I have had a fun time with his family this weekend. The picture above is us with the Christmas tree at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. We went down there last night to see the Christmas lights and windows at Macy's (formerly Marshall Field's) on State Street. We also have had some of the most unhealthy Chinese food thanks to dim sum (like a Chinese version of tapas) and dinner at our family's favorite restuarant in Chinatown. Once again, my husband ate one of his favorite dishes at dim sum, jellyfish, although it was pointed out to me that jellyfish has a similar consistency with Thai pad siew, which is also Abe's favorite (and mine as well).

Anyway, I've been more aware this year of just how odd it is that our culture celebrates the coming of our Savior even though they don't fully buy into the Savior's death, resurrection and, well, everything that makes him our savior (including our need to be saved). I was at a store shopping and heard a Christmas song with words about Christ and wondered how crazy it is since it's not like they would play "Amazing Grace" or a song by David Crowder any other time of the year.

Yet, while it seems the whole earth is proclaiming His name, this year, I've also heard some versions of songs meant to revere Christ that make me cringe. A local store used "Joy to the World" to promote a carpet sale. The jingle went something like this, "Joy to the world...installation is free...if you buy your floor today." Hello! You are likening a carpet sale to "Joy to the World the Lord has come"?

Anyway, it just encourages me to make sure my heart is connected to the awesome wonder that God would send his Son to Earth to rescue us -- and to do so in the most humble way possible. May you seek God and be found by Him this Christmas.