Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
This was the Biblegateway.com verse of the day, and one of my many Christmas favorites. Matthew 1:23 gives us greater definition of that name, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
God with us. One of the countless things that defines Christianity above all others. Nobody else is claiming they have God indwelling in their hearts. Nobody else can have a conversation to the degree that a Christian is privileged to have and yet we take it for granted so often. If there is a thought worth meditating on this Christmas season it is this one. God with us… If there is a gift worth giving this Christmas Season it is the ability to share God with a friend or family member through your testimony and witness so they too may experience “God with them!”
There is so much heartache in the world around us: sickness, depression, and loneliness just to name a few. And although Christians certainly can and do suffer those things, we know that having God with us can make a bitter journey sweet. Having the ability to be ministered to by God Himself in times of trouble is a privilege not afforded to those who do not Him.
Today my Christmas thought is this… “God with us.” I don’t want to take it for granted, so I’m sharing it with you too, in hopes that perhaps today a conversation will start in several hearts and perhaps it will be a gift to God this Christmas that His children’s gratitude will be felt in the throne room of Heaven.