“O Holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas Angels,
The great glad tidings tell,
O come to us, Abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel.”

Emmanuel is the word that is most likely to send shivers up my spine. I can’t help but grin like an idiot when belting out the last verse of this carol. It’s all I long for deep down inside. That I could hang out with God, that he would abide with me. It’s a wonder that will not be drowned out by my cynisim, doubt, pessimism or whatever black thoughts I throw at it. Emmanuel and my heart sings, Emmanuel and I drink it in. Emmanuel and I am home again.