The Gift of Presence

The aromas and flavors of Christmas evoke memories of Christmases past and the people who made them special. This year I remember my friend Luella; her presence in my life was a gift. What do I remember most? Luella consistently pointed people to Christ’s presence— the BEST gift of all.

Presence Remembered

Now, a member of the “great cloud of witnesses,” Luella Webb was a fixture in my life from elementary school through my early motherhood. In the community she was an artist, home economist, teacher, and an active member of the Body of Christ. To me she was a spiritual mentor and a friend. Luella is exactly who I think of when I read 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3:

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

My home is graced with many evidences of Luella’s presence in my life. The most prized, is a recipe that I make every year during the holidays— Luella Webb’s Ice Box Rolls. Mixing, kneading, and pounding the dough, memories of Luella wash over me. I can hear her voice and imagine her presence in the kitchen as I work. My memory of Luella is testimony to God’s work in her life and in mine.

Perfect Presence

As sweet as the gift of friendship, sweeter still is Christ’s presence. This gift was promised in Isaiah 7:14, and delivered at Jesus’ birth:

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us).  Matthew 1:22-23

Thus, the perfectly sinless Jesus entered our world, fully human and fully divine. His was not an aloof presence, no, Jesus served people, engaged the culture, and made a way for us to enjoy His presence forever.

As Believers in Jesus we experience His presence in our lives for eternity from the moment of our salvation. In fact, God gave us the the Holy Spirit so we can know the indwelling of Christ in our hearts.

… according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith… Ephesians 3:16-17

Through the help of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s presence in our hearts grows and grows. As our faith matures, may we know more and more the reality of Emmanuel, “God with us.”

Share Christ’s Presence

My friendship with Luella proves that when we connect and encourage one another in love we practice the presence of Christ. Help others experience the BEST gift of all. Who will you share Christ’s presence with today?

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). Merry Christmas!