This past Sunday, we had our annual church Christmas banquet. My wife heard one of our students say they “were there only for the presents.” Now this was the typical southern church carry-in dinner. The food was excellent and we had plenty of it. My wife and I brought some Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. I brought Potato Filling and Pam made Shoo-fly Pie. After dinner, we hand out presents. Last year, we didn’t know that, so we handed ours to our ministry leaders early. This year Pam and I made custom, one of a kind Christmas balls for each leader. I forgot to take a picture of them to show you. It is great show of love to each other. We received many presents, plus our Christmas bonus, which helped us finish our shopping this week. Thank you to the congregation of Preston Wesleyan. We know that we are loved and we love you back. After that we all go home.

Let me get back to the title. The students had their Christmas party and got their gifts the week before, but they were looking for more. Here’s the application. How many times during this season do we go around seeking the presents? What we really need to seek is the Presence. Jesus came to earth over two thousand years ago to be Emmanuel – God with Us. John the Evangelist writes, “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us.” Instead of seeking presents, let me encourage you to seek the Presence, Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with Us.