One the positive side, we are celebrating the greatest reality of all time: the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We have heard festive music, viewed beautiful decorations, enjoyed refreshing fellowship. We have experienced the joy and fun of gift buying and exchanging. And our choir knocked a home run this weekend with two stellar performances that ushered us into the presence of Christ as we worshiped.
This afternoon as I thought about the ups and downs of the last 2½ weeks, one reality struck me – through it all one thing has remained constant: the presence of God has been with us. He has comforted us when we were sad, He has multiplied our joys, He has answered our prayers, and He has quieted our anxieties.
But then again, THAT is the message of Christmas:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14
The name Immanuel means “God with us.” The coming of Jesus to earth was God’s way of rubbing shoulders with His creation. Our God is not One who rules from afar; no, He has chosen instead to intervene in the lives His creation.
Whatever we go through – from our sorrows to our joys and every point in between – God goes through it with us. Even when Jesus announced He would be going back to heaven, He promised the continuous presence of God in the person of the Holy Spirit. God is always with us.
What a comforting thought for this Christmas season – we are not alone, God is with us. He is acquainted intimately with everything going on in our lives, He understands us and our circumstances, and He is more than able to handle what comes our way.
Take joy this Christmas in the fact that God is near. He will give you direction for your decisions, comfort for your soul pain, and purpose for your life.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
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