Hope in Christ: God Is With Us

My friend tells the story that as a small child, she carried the baby Jesus figure from her family’s nativity set around with her the entire Christmas season. She remembers that she loved the little baby Jesus and wanted to have Him with her all the time. She would carry the figure in her hand. If her mother ever put the figure back in the nativity set, my friend would pick up the baby Jesus again later to keep with her. My friend had baby Jesus with her constantly.

Her story reminds us of the hope Jesus gives because He is with us constantly. At Christmas we celebrate that Jesus came to earth to be God with us. John 1:14 tells us, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” We also read in Matthew 1:23, “See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated ‘God is with us.’”

These are words of hope to us today in assuring us that Jesus dwells with us. This means that He stays and resides with us. He is with us in our difficulties as well as on the days that are smooth sailing. May this bring hope in Christ, even in times when we need to be patient in our troubles.

This Christmas season, celebrate that God is with you constantly. May this be a time of hope in knowing that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.

Pray:

I praise you, Father, for sending Jesus to be “God with us.” As I celebrate Christmas, may I be mindful that You dwell in my heart. Thank You for the hope this brings. Guide me to share the joy of Your presence with others around me. As I teach preschoolers, help me to share Your love with them. In Jesus’ name, amen.