With the Christmas season upon us, it’s natural that I reflect on what the festival means to me. If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that I don’t really do all the celebratory stuff. We keep Christmas simple. This year it’s even more relevant that we have a meaningful celebration of the Emmanuel (God with us) and reflect on how we can channel God with skin!
God With Skin!
I read this cute little story in the humor column of a magazine that made me smile and reflect too.
Our 6-year old granddaughter Shirley was troubled with nightmares on an overnight visit. Each time, my wife went in and comforted her. Finally, we suggested Shirley might feel better if she prayed. “Grandma, I love God a lot,” Shirley said, “but right now I need someone with skin.”
Cute, isn’t it? But the way I see, there is also a powerful lesson in it. Too often, I think we try to spiritualise things – especially other people’s problems. They come to us to be listened to, to be encouraged, to be supported and we pack them off with a ‘You need to pray about that’ or a ‘I’ll pray for you.’ People need more than that. They need to know that you’ll ‘be’ with them. Most often, our best experiences of God come through the love and acceptance we receive from others.
Will You Channel God with skin?
Here’s another story that’s been told many times over, but it never fails to touch me. Pardon me for the paraphrase, but this is how it goes:
A statue of Christ was damaged during the war. When the priest and the people tried to put it together again, they found the hands and feet missing. Instead of getting it fixed, the priest decided to put the words of Teresa of Avila at the bottom of the statue:
Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no feet but yours, no hands but yours. Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ is to look out on a hurting world.
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless all now.
What I Want For Christmas
What I want for Christmas this year to try harder to be present to other people and to allow them to experience ‘God with skin’ through me.
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I love this post Corinne and shared it on my church Facebook page. Advent/Christmas blessings, Michele
Hi Corinne, what lovely stories! So many people suffer even more than usual during this time of year and being able to share compassion and kindness by being present for others is the best gift anyone can give. Take care!
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This was such a thoughtful post. When someone comes to you with a problem, yes he wants you to be that God with skin..who will listen to him.
I have always been that go to person whom people come to with problems..but I never could find that one person whom I can burden with mine.
SUch a cute story!
True, when we are in need, we need a God with skin, more than one we have to imagine to feel protected. I am glad I have my family and close friends–my Gods with skin–to help me feel safe and protected during difficult times.
As usual another beautiful post. We often seek God in the universe while he is right beside us. We need to find God in each of us and also become the true messenger. Merry Christmas Cory. Have a peaceful new year. Love and hugs.
That’s a great message Corinne. In this Covid time, it makes more sense that we show God in compassion and helping others.
Beautiful!God with skin!What an idea!
What a beautiful post, Corinne! What a beautiful way to express Emmanuel – God with skin. It is up to each one of us to be God’s hand, feet, and heart in the world. Merry Christmas!
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This is such a beautiful post, Corinne. And I agree with you – we need more than just “thoughts and prayers” sometimes – most times? What we need is the presence of someone, to know they care, to offer comfort when we need it.
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Hi Corinne – I love that concept – God with skin – and it’s exactly how we should be – I call it “walking our talk” because I’m so tired of hearing people spout Christian dogma but living lives that don’t match up. The crazy woman I worked with (who did my head in) was one of those people – and I just can’t equate speaking Christian-ese (that’s what we call it) where you say stuff but behave appallingly. Despite all that, there are some wonderful believers out there living authentically – and I hope I’m on that list!
Have a wonderful Christmas and in regard to my scooter – I mentioned it on my FB page and my CTH FB page – such a fun purchase! (https://www.facebook.com/crestingthehill/videos/831845724215154)
What a lovely story, Corinne! True, sometimes God isn’t enough. We need people to talk to and touch and feel.
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