Scripture: “The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)” (Isaiah 7:14 NLT).

God with us! This tiny baby in a manger in the insignificant town of Bethlehem, born to peasant parents, was God Himself! He came to live with us, teach us, suffer with us, and die for us. The Creator of the universe, the Author of life, loves us so much, He cane to live with us and within us, “abiding” with us (John 15:4).. He wants to be with us! Every day, every moment, for those who seek and find Him, He is closer than a beloved brother!
God’s glory is beyond human imagination, but the curtain was pulled aside that starry night for the shepherds to glimpse a bit of heavenly beauty and power. Wise men from Persia traveled great distances to honor Him, for His message had been written in the heavens.
Jesus purposely experienced everything that tears our hearts—temptation, hunger, pain, fatigue, and much sorrow. Mankind had made silly, rigid rules we could not keep. We had a distorted perception of God as a wrathful Judge, ready to zap our every misstep. Jesus, our Emmanuel, came to set us free and show us the wonderful, perfect love of our Heavenly Father.
He came to proclaim liberty from our corrupt culture, to bind us up when we are brokenhearted, and to comfort us in our griefs. In the darkness of our world, He alone brings grace and truth. None who come to Him will ever be disappointed.

Prayer: Father, help us comprehend the amazing miracle of Christmas and worship You with all our hearts and minds, souls and strength. Amen.