As we approach this holiday season, we look forward to gathering with family. Our focus turns from being consumed with life to the blessings we have received throughout the year. We stop and recount the times of God’s faithfulness when jobs were lost, houses foreclosed, physical needs were at a premium, and hope seemed dim.
It is those stones of remembrances of God’s promises to us that keep us putting one foot in front of the other. It makes us rise in the morning to face another day of unknowns. It keeps us from dwelling in the pit that is so familiar to us.
We are reminded in Psalm 145:13, “The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.” In Joshua 1:5, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” We cling to these verses as we journey through life when facing difficult circumstances and life does not make sense.
This theme found in the Old Testament comes to full life at the birth of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him, Emmanuel —which means, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 NIV.
Let that word, Emmanuel, fully sink into every part of your being. God with us! We are not alone! This is the greatest treasure we could ever receive. This treasure is the sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son. It is available to each one of us. All we have to do is believe. God accepts us right where we are. We don’t have to be good enough to be welcomed into his royal family. Jesus just wants our heart.
Think back over 2000 years ago, Mary wrapped this baby boy in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. What a gift she was wrapping! At the time, she did not fully grasp the meaning of this gift that was before her, a gift from on high to her and everyone. As various events happened later, Mary treasured these things in her heart. Mary experienced God’s faithfulness and protection.
- The prevention from Mary being stoned for being pregnant before marriage
- Joseph accepting Mary as his wife instead of divorcing her as the culture dictated.
- God’s provisional shelter for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem
- Simeon and Anna in the temple confirming who Jesus was.
- Mary, Joseph, and Jesus protected from King Herod’s killing rage
These are only a few incidents that revealed God’s character and presence.
As we unwrap our presents at Christmas this season, are we noting the gifts of God’s presence throughout this year? Think about the times that we knew God was with us.
The time:
- That unexpected monetary gift appeared
- Words of affirmation from a friend were spoken
- Someone faithfully lent emotional support and encouragement
- That God spared our life after taking a bottle of sleeping pills and waking up with no effects
- A church paid a bill and provided transportation
- An unexpected bag of groceries appeared
- That someone listened and didn’t judge
- That house repairs were done without cost
- That someone called to check on you and offered up a prayer
- Someone sent a special note of encouragement
The list could go on and on. Sometimes though we become so focused on our difficult circumstances that we miss the evidence of God with us. In our mind we are looking for a mountain to appear but miss the “tiny” glimpses of His care and love.
As we end this year, take out a sheet of paper and jot down the times when God faithfully gave to you. Start with January 2024 and write down the month in which these things happened. The timeline will reveal the steady flow of God’s presence throughout this year. Hopelessness will disappear because our focus is on Him.
As we place our presents under the Christmas tree, do we think about what gifts we can give to Jesus? Do we give as much thought to that special gift as the ones we give to those we love? The gifts we could bring to Him are:
- Our Love
- Our Time
- Our Talents
- Our Abilities
- Our Obedience
- Our Money
- Our Prayers
- Our Praise
There are so many more gifts we could add after careful thought. These gifts need to be given freely to Him not out of obligation. He freely gave to us and we need to do likewise. It is important to take the time to lay our presents humbly before Him as we end a year and begin another.
Emmanuel
God with Us