I was stunned as I heard the news item: a Wal Mart greeter was trampled by holiday shoppers and eventually died at the hospital. When I opened to my computer home page later in the day, another headline read, "Two Shot in Toy Store." Holiday enthusiasm has taken on a new low, merging from enthusiasm into frenzy and becoming holiday violence.

The stores began decorating for and promoting Christmas in October. As we moved into November, holiday calendars were planned. Now in December, we are in full force with our baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating, overeating, and attending holiday events. Our lives, like the mall, are crowded. With crowded schedules when do we rest? Most of us don't. Our holiday fatigue promotes irritability and stress. Unfulfilled expectations give rise to disappointments. Our excitement becomes restlessness. We overdo during the holidays, but the one thing we fail to do, is rest.

When presented with the news that she would bear the Savior, Mary asked, "How can this be?" Satisfied with the angel's explanation, Mary rested. When she knew His name would be Immanuel, "God with us," she rested. She rested in God's promises, His character, and in His plan.

Can you rest this season? We don't have to be totally still to rest. Even when we are moving and when life is changing, we can rest and be quiet. Can you take time to remember "God with us"? How will your perspective change as you prepare for the holidays, if you rest in remembering "God with us"? Will "big" things become smaller? Will plans be altered, relationships change, your "To Do" list take a different slant? Will you move from frenzy and exhaustion to rest and restoration?

The Good News of Christmas is "Immanuel, God with us!" He invites us to security and to rest.

Reflection: Read Luke 1 :26-56, Matthew 2: 18-25 and Matthew 11: 28-30.Where do you see pictures of rest?

Christmas Ice Cream Dessert

You can make this holiday dessert ahead of time and freeze it. It will give you some time to rest!

1/2 gallon peppermint or mint chocolate ice cream, softened

1 bag Oreo cookies, crushed

1 stick butter, melted

Mix crushed cookies with butter. Line the bottom of a 9x13 freezer proof pan with 2/3 of the cookie mixture.

Spread softened ice cream over crust. Top with remaining crumbs. Freeze until ready to serve.

To serve: Cut in squares. Drizzle chocolate syrup on each plate. Place square on syrup. Drizzle syrup over top. Top with Cool Whip or whipped cream. Sprinkle with crushed peppermints or shaved chocolate to garnish.