Yes, December 21 is Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. After today, the days start getting longer again.

Some of you are completely done with all your present buying and wrapping. You are the 1%. Lucky you.

Some of you (including me) have some or most of the Christmas shopping done, so there’s a little bit of breathing room and not as much stress.

Some of you haven’t quite started yet. You’re either the ones sweating bullets or thriving on waiting until the absolute last minute.

Maybe in the few days left till Christmas, you can choose not to obsess over what gifts you will give. Maybe spend more time relishing in that one Gift that you have already received, and will receive again. Jesus is coming!

That one Gift is all that really matters. Christmas isn’t about what’s under the tree but what’s in the manger. It’s not wrapped in pretty paper but in swaddling cloths.

Christmas is still about Emmanuel, God with us.