Christmas is one of the best times of the year. So many things make it special, like our time with family, our holiday traditions, yummy food, special gatherings and events, colorful decorations, and we can’t forget the gifts. All of these are wonderful, but ultimately, Christmas is really about one thing, or better yet, one Person.
Christmas is Christmas... because of Jesus. It is all about the reality of God coming to earth in human flesh. One of the names for Jesus is Emmanuel, which means "God with us." Think of that for a moment. God loves you so much that He would come to be with you, and this is why we celebrate Christmas.
The Gospel of John begins with the statement, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." A few verses later, this statement is amplified with the declaration that "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us." "The Word became flesh," speaks directly to Christmas. It speaks of Jesus.
Emmanuel, God with us!
God took on human flesh and lived with us in human history. God endured the frailties of being human, was tempted at all points as we are, yet never committed any sin. He felt our emotions as He wept over Jerusalem and Lazarus, His friend. He experienced the agony of soul in the garden of Gethsemane and physical suffering in His torture and crucifixion.
This means that there is never a time, never a situation, never a moment when God is not available for you. He is not "God was once with us," instead, He is "God with us."
Dare to Ask God to help you seek and know His presence this Christmas.
CHRISTMAS BIBLE READING PLAN
Christmas is a time to celebrate the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Looking at the story of Christ's anticipated arrival at Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to be the fulfillment of God's promises and faithfulness. All our hopes and prayers are answered in the presence of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
God’s passion for His people can not be extinguished. Do you embody this same passion?