If you attended Fellowship’s recent children’s Christmas program, you likely experienced the excitement and joy of the children’s songs and recitations. The simple joy of children. There wasn’t a dry eye between my husband and me as we watched their innocent faces, smiling with eagerness, and their voices repeating all they have learned, sharing how Jesus Christ came to do what we could never do for ourselves. He came to us.
Emmanuel, God with us.
Those little ones reminded us that God did so much more than just enter humanity with the birth of Jesus. Our Lord sent His Son, who was without sin, to take our sin upon Himself, to pay the penalty we deserve and die in our place. God with us.
Among the sparkling lights, merry songs, delicious food, and the exchanging of gifts, you may be surrounded by family and friends. Voices and activity around you, or quiet and calm. All may be gathered who are dear to you or there may be an empty seat in your home this year. Wherever your heart is…longing, hoping, aching, waiting…God is with you.
With—it is a powerful thread of hope for this weary, broken world of ours. God’s presence permeates our brokenness and the brokenness around us. God is with us, giving all we need to bring Him the glory due His name. Every year at Christmastime, we recite this familiar verse from Isaiah 9:6:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God with us. This reminds us that none of what is happening, or will happen, is a surprise to Him. One of our family traditions has been our girls’ opening a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve. Over the years, two sons-in-law and four grandchildren have increased the enjoyment of this family experience. We will mark the first Christmas without my daddy this year. Because his last years of life were mostly home bound, and my mom lovingly kept him well-stocked in warm winter wear, he happened to own multiple sets of flannel pajamas. With his absence, we will remember him. Every member of our family (that’s 13 of us!) will wear daddy’s pajamas this year. God with us in the gratitude and the sadness. As Truvy said in the movie Steel Magnolias, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.”
There are many in our community who are worn out and crushed by grief this year. Our hearts go out to you. We pray God’s comfort and strength for your families. You are seen and loved and remembered. May it be a comfort to you that God knows, and He is always near. God with us.
Whether we experience sadness or excitement this Christmas, we have Emmanuel. God with us, Wonderful Counselor, when we need His wisdom. God with us, Mighty God, when we are weak and need to draw His strength. God with us,Everlasting Father, because we are never separated from His steadfast love. God with us, Prince of Peace, who can bring calm no matter what is going on around us.
Even the angels recognized the fullness of God wrapped as a gift and rejoiced at the birth of our Lord, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” (Luke 2:14)
Of all the gifts this year, the One we need is God with us. Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel.