I love the reason for Christmas: the promise of a King wrapped up in a baby boy, the hope of a Savior to rescue us from sin! But here’s the truth, lately I find myself so caught up in the bedlam of my schedule, that I forget that in everything God is with me and that this is what the Christmas is all about! There’s shopping to be done and presents to be wrapped. Cookies need to be baked and I certainly don’t look like a Christian when I’m laying on my horn because someone stole my parking spot!

And this is not God’s wish for me. Christmas is a time to remember, Emmanuel, God with us. I need Him to be with me desperately! Here are two passages that talk about God with us:

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Matthew 1:23
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).

In Isaiah, the name “Emmanuel” and the surrounding context speak of God’s presence being manifested in Israel. In Matthew, the name is applied to Jesus, which means that this promised blessing of God being with His people spreads to all who will believe in Him in the entire world. Through sacrifice and mercy, God makes a way to be with His people, all leading up to God’s final act …

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look!” God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

The word “Emmanuel” truly does embody the meaning of Christmas. The birth of Jesus, the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah and Savior of all men, has made a way for God to be “with us.”