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Are we living like God is with us, among us, and in us? "Look! the virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom they will call Immanuel, a name which means 'God-is-with-us'." (Matthew 1:23)
When Jesus Christ came to earth, God incarnate, He changed lives. He changed the lives of those around Him because they had experienced God. Sinners were convicted, the faithful were hopeful and rejoicing, but all drew near when He came.
He attracted thousands upon thousands to hear Him, see Him, and receive healings and miracles. Were they in it for selfish reasons? Sure, many of them were. However, aren't we the same?
Are we praying to God based on what we want, we need, and to have our desires met or are we praying to worship, adore, and thank Him for what we already have?
In this season of Advent and Christmas, Santa Claus is all around us. In shopping malls, stores, businesses, and parades. Children sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas and then off they go. Even adults enjoy the lure, the magic, and the attraction of Christmas....but do we enjoy the lure and attraction of Jesus?
Are we treating God as if He is a great big Santa all year long? We pray, give him our list of requests and needs, and off we go. We rush out of Mass as soon as the recessional is complete (if we even stay that long).
Do we dwell in His presence? Do we spend time appreciating, basking in the wonder and love of what Christ does during the Eucharist and Mass...or is it a block we check off on our 'weekly to-do list' and go about our business?
If God was sitting right beside you now, if he followed you for 24 hours - would those 24 hours be different than what they are now? Would you act differently? Speak differently? Look differently?
God is truly with us, regardless if we act like it or not. He is not a giant Santa Claus. He is God.
What are we truly spending our time doing and are we living, acting, and believing that God is truly with us? If so, the wonder and attraction of Christmas will be nothing compared to the wonder and attraction we see in God being here with us.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
