Immanuel -- God With Us!

Merry Christmas! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year — the joy, the cheer, the parties, the food, the family and friends. Could it get any better?! 

Some of you let out a joyous sigh because in your life, it just can’t get any better than this. Others of you, however, let out a deep sigh because you an only hope it will get better. From every perspective, you can confidently say ‘yes, it most certainly could be better.’

There is space for both of us here this Christmas. 

Why? Because Christ has come. 

The Messiah has actually come. The Promised One to bring healing and hope has come to earth. His arrival was announced by the angels after God Almighty literally moved heaven and earth to reveal His gift — a promise fulfilled to bring forth His plan of redemption. 

As wonderful or dreadful this season is for you — the promise of God has been fulfilled. A Messiah, the Savior of the Word, has come. He is with us — Immanuel.

Over the next days and weeks, how do you need God to be with you? Ask Him to be the Immanuel He is. Ask Him to be WITH you. And for those of you who are followers of Jesus (having confessed your sin before a Holy God and believed that He is the Christ — the One who brought salvation through His death, burial and resurrection), you have Him dwelling within you. The Holy Spirit is His presence inside of you — your Helper and Comforter. Boldly ask Him to be Immanuel — WITH you.

Are you lonely this year? He is Immanuel, God WITH you.

Are you fearful of the future? He is Immanuel, God WITH you.

Are you anxious about a new journey ahead? He is Immanuel, God WITH you.

Are you excited about something new in your life? He is Immanuel, God WITH you.

Are you surrounded by noise and distraction? He is Immanuel, God WITH you.

Are you standing at a crossroad? He is Immanuel, God WITH you.

Are you standing on an island? He is Immanuel, God WITH you.

Are you confused? He is Immanuel, God WITH you.

Are you living your dream? He is Immanuel, God WITH you.

Here we are living in a historic time — big things are happening in our world, big things are happening in our families and in our individual lives. We are crossing into a new decade and 2020 is here — a year that has always seemed so far away and one that feels a little daunting, because how are we really living in 2020?! The stress is high, but the expectations are higher. What will the new year, the new decade, the new YOU bring?

Dream big, pray bigger. And be confident that in 2020, He will still be Immanuel. In 2020, God will be WITH you.