I was thinking about how I love Christmas. It’s why this past weekend we celebrated Christmas in July. We had the fairy lights up, the music, the food, the celebrating with others. Really Christmas should be everyday! Then I thought about the truth of what and whom Christmas is really all about can be celebrated every day. Christmas is everyday!
Because Christmas is all about God being present with us. Immanuel – “God with us.”
In Matthew 1:23 the bible records the dream that Joseph had from God to reassure him that everything was ok. “Behold The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”.) When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and embraced Mary as his wife.
The angel said Jesus will be known as Immanuel -” God with us”. Have you ever stopped to think what those words that are so often said at Christmas time really mean? To think that God is with us all the time. But how is that so?
After Jesus was crucified, and then rose again, He went back to heaven. But He told his friends “Don’t worry, the Holy Spirit would come, and He will be with you always.” The disciples were freaked out. Jesus had left them. But they followed His last instructions to go to Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Holy spirit did come, and instead of Jesus being present in just one place at a time, The spirit of God, of Jesus, was present in all of them, all of the time, wherever they went. He was with them constantly, and they were never the same again! (Acts 2)
Once we ask Jesus into our lives, He comes to live with us. He breaths life into our spirit which was previously dead in sin. He turns the light on, deep down on the inside of us. He is God with us – Immanuel. We are never alone, and He promises He will lead and guide us into all truth; He will teach and remind us all about Jesus, and He will be with us always.
Jesus said it this way; “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:25-26)
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and He will be in you.…”(John 14:16)
So it’s really Christmas all the time, everyday, because He is with us.
Today, if you are feeling alone, reach out to Jesus. Invite Him into your life. Into every area, even the parts you don’t want others to see. You don’t ever have to be alone again. Know that He will with you always by His Holy Spirit. You too can know His peace, His presence and His power, just as those early friends of Jesus did. He will change your life, and you will never be the same again. Because God is with you!
Prayer: Lord thank you that you desire to be with me all the time, and that I need never be alone again. I invite you in every area of my life. Holy Spirit please come fill me with your presence, your peace and your power. Please help me today. In Jesus Name Amen.