God With Us
By Elisa Morgan
Emmanuel.
It means "God with us." This time of year, we celebrate God coming to be with us in the birth of his Son, Jesus.
John wrote, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" in John 1:14. God put himself in a vessel. The Word - Jesus, God's very best expression of himself to us - became flesh. God was born. God grew and walked in this world. God carried our burdens to the cross where he died that we might live. God rose from the dead. And today, through his Holy Spirit, God is still with us.
What does that mean to you? Right there, where you are? What does it mean that God is with you?
At the dinner table.
Around the Christmas tree.
In your car.
With your extended family.
In a surprising moment of quiet.
After the bustle has ended.
When you sit alone with your thoughts.
As you contemplate what is next.
What does Emmanuel mean to you?
This Christmas, whether the moment turns out just as you've hoped or whether each Advent day dribbles down into disappointment, consider Emmanuel, God with you, in whatever you face.
Emmanuel. God with us. That's what Christmas is all about.
Elisa Morgan is an author and speaker and the cohost of Discover the Word and contributor to Our Daily Bread. Her latest book, When We Pray Like Jesus, was recently released. Her other books include The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, and She Did What She Could. Connect with Elisa @elisa_morgan on Twitter, and @elisamorganauthor on Facebook and Instagram.