My shopping is mostly complete. The decorations have been up for weeks. Most of the parties have been attended. The boys will be home from college soon and I will be taking a few days off. The Christmas holiday bustle is in full swing in the Agee home.

In the midst of it, though, I’m trying to find some quiet moments to reflect and renew. This holiday, among all the others for me, is the most precious. It’s filled with childhood memories of my mom, aunts and uncles trying to fill the empty spaces my father left. It’s memories of my first Christmases with my bride and best friend Wanda as we began our life together. It’s filled with the squeals and frenzy only your children can bring to Christmas morning, even too cool college boys.

But this Christmas, as a grown-up with a few scars and grey hairs, I’m beginning to understand, I hope, the concept of Immanuel, God with us. We have a God, who loves us so very much, who became one of us, to serve us, to take our punishment and provide a path back to eternity for us. Christmas is a celebration of His arrival and the beginning of that sacrifice.

Immanuel, God with us. I can hardly fathom the depth of a gift like that.

From all of us at KTSY, we pray you enjoy a very merry, blessed Christmas season and a happy New Year.