Today, while considering what to post as the gift I’m thankful for, this phrase dropped into my heart: the simplicity of the season.

Though often it seems it isn’t sophisticated enough for us–not high-tech enough, not frilly or dressed in a bow, the beauty of the message of Christmas truly is its simplicity: a baby, a manger, the lavishing of love.

As complicated as our lives seem to get, and as complicated as they probably were for the people involved in that first Christmas, when all the trappings we’re tempted to festoon it with are stripped away, we’re left with a very simple message: seeking a relationship with His creation that had been complicated by evil, God made a way and sent a gift meant for everyone to clear the way and make way for relationship once more.

My hope for you is that despite the busyness of the season, you can find moments to rest in that simplicity. And today, that’s what I’m thankful for.