Emmanuel

I've been very struck by the meaning of Christmas this year. God has shown me different things about Christmas, things I knew but didn't realize.

Our God came to be with us. I don't realize the full meaning of the name Emmanuel - God with us. That is Who Jesus is. He is God here on earth with us! He didn't just watch us from Heaven, He didn't just love us from afar, God chose to come and save us. He walked with us, He taught us, He laughed and ate and sorrowed with us. He gave up Heaven and chose to dwell on this sinful earth to be with us! That is a love unlike any I've ever heard of.

Christmas is all about God being with us, God coming for us, to be with us and save us from our sin. I guess part of my does think of God as being in Heaven; yes, I have His spirit living inside me, but I won't be with Him till Heaven. Which is true. But I forget that He came to earth, He came to where I am, in order to save me. What other god has done that? What other god loves so truly and deeply and incomprehensibly? God is more than words, more than good thoughts and empty promises. God has done what He said He would do. He put His words to action, and He lived He love for us. He is Emmanuel, God with us!