Merry Christmas! If you’ve stopped by because of my post from Karen Ehman’s 12 Day’s of Christmas, welcome! If not, I hope your pop over to Karen’s blog and read my post and enter to win, The Greastest Gift, devotional by Ann Voskamp.
Christmas isn’t about presents, glowing Christmas trees, and decorations. It’s so much more! Christmas is about God’s desire to have a relationship with you and me.
In any other religion, people work their way up to their god. In Christianity, we have a coming down God. This is the astounding truth of Christmas! God left heaven, took on human flesh, and came down to be one of us.
God desires to be with you. Sure God has always been with us, but when Jesus entered the human world as a babe, everything changed. Immanuel, God is with us.
He’s there in times of celebration and times of great agony. He’s there in love and in suffering. God may seem distant at times in our lives but we must remember that it isn’t God who has withdrawn. It’s us. God’s Presence is always available. He’s always interested in your relationship with Him, and willing and able to provide for your needs. Sometimes, it’s a matter of calling on Him and then trusting in His care no matter what the situation may look like.
Having a relationship with God is His idea. In the beginning we’re told that the Lord walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. When God sent Jesus into the world, it was to renew that kind of relationship with us! His Name not only confirms this truth but reveals the comfort we long for… Immanuel, God with us.
“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.” (2 Cor. 5:18, NLT)
Jesus Himself made it clear that relationship with God should be our highest priority in this life.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:7-8, NKJV)
The fact that God entered our world to become one of us and to be with us is a marvelous, moving message of hope. It’s why we proclaim to others His birth at this time of the year; spreading the Good News of freedom from sin and an intimate relationship with God Himself!
So have a very merry Christmas knowing that God loves you and wants to be with you. May you know the presence of your Heavenly Father in a special way during this blessed season.
I read your post today as part of Karen Ehman’s 12 Days of Christmas. I wanted to send you a comment personally, as I am in the same situation this year, except I don’t have kids. I am 30 years old and my husband passed away 10 months ago. Like you, I have felt despair and anguish. But I also feel the presence of God even in those moments. Preparation for Christmas this has not been the same as previous years. I usually decorate the whole house to reflect the joy and excitement of the holiday. This year my decorations have been minimal. I did not put out the whole nativity set for the yard that my husband and I picked out last year. But I made sure to put out the sign that says Jesus is the reason for the season. I am finding that it is true that Christmas is about Christ. It’s not about the presents, the lights, Christmas specials on TV, but about celebrating the fact that Jesus came and is still here with us. as I read your post, the song playing on the radio in the background was Casting Crown’s Immanuel: “God is in is, God is for us, God is with us, Immanuel.” Such great confirmation of what you expressed! Merry Christmas…
I read your post today as part of Karen Ehman’s 12 Days of Christmas. I wanted to send you a comment personally, as I am in the same situation this year, except I do not have kids. I am 30 years old and my husband passed away 10 months ago. Like you, I have felt despair and anguish. But I also feel the presence of God even in those moments. Preparation for Christmas this year has not been the same as previous years. I usually decorate the whole house to reflect the joy and excitement of the holiday. This year my decorations around the house have been minimal. I did not put out the whole nativity set that my husband and I picked out last year for the yard, but I made sure to put out the sign that says “Jesus is the reason for the season.” I am finding that it is not about the presents, the lights, Christmas specials on T.V., but about celebrating the fact that Jesus came and is still here with us. As I read your post, the song playing on the radio in the background was Casting Crowns’ Immanuel ” God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Immanuel.” Such great confirmation of what you expressed! Merry Christmas!
Sorry to submit the comment twice, my computer showed that it had not gone through earlier.
One day while i was doing chores and thinking some heavy thoughts about some not so good situations in my life at that time, the word network was on in the background. They were reaching out to prople to give to “the least of these” i had seen this particular cry for help many times before but didnt answer the call. This particular day i felt a great nudge from the Holy SpirIt to give. So i did. A half an hour later i got a phone call from klove asking me if i needed any prayer. I was completely blown away and so i cried and we prayed together. It was beautiful. And so needed. Imanuel, God with us. He always is but that day His presence was felt in such an amazing way. Thanks for letting us share. Merry Christmas to you all!!
One day ehile i was doing chores and thinking some pretty heavy thoughts about some not so good situatiins in my life. A christian tv show was playing in the background and they were asking people to give to “the least of these” i had heard this cry many times before but didnt feel i was to answer. This particular day i had such a nudge from the Holy Spirit to give so i did. Within a half an hour i recieved a phone call from a christian radio station asking if i needed any prayer. I was completely blown away i cried and we prayed together. It was beautiful. I know God is always with us but this particular day his presence was greatly felt. Imanuel “God with us”. Thank you for letting us share and Merry Christmas to you all!