God with us in a changed life

Matthew 1:23

“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’)

As we enter December, the festive season is approaching and Christmas means something different for everyone. For some, it is a pagan holiday to be avoided, for others it's a moment to remember that God came to earth in flesh to live. For those who don't have a Christian perspective it's a time to spend, party, get drunk and let your hair down. Then there's those of us who have to somehow navigate our way through Christmas - those of us who have suffered greatly, those who have an empty seat at the table, those who have suffered a life changing situation, those who have endured divorce, those who have lost their job, those who are ill and many others in difficult circumstances. 

Not everyone wants to party, not everyone can be merry, not everyone can be full of seasonal cheer, not everyone wants to go through this season as though nothing has happened. 

Like many others, our lives have been changed and our journey now is very different. Christmas is different now for us in so many ways. But one thing that hasn't changed is that we continue to remember Immanuel - God with us in Christ 'God was indeed with us'. Now He is with us by the Holy Spirit. The Great Comforter now walks beside us in our suffering, in our loss, in our struggles, not just this Christmas season but every day. 

If you're struggling this season why not reach out to the God who will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) Christmas will come and go very quickly, but the Lord will remain because He changes not. He is indeed the same yesterday today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Amen.  

This season, let us not miss the purpose of life and miss what God in Christ has done for us all. 

This Christmas why not…

Be the light 

Be the presence

Be the warmth 

Be the comfort

Be the listening ear for someone, even in our own struggles.

Christmas is a season that is overly hyped up and one which can make people feel quite deflated afterwards. For us, the hype has gone but we hold onto the ‘why’ of Christmas, the ‘why’ of the virgin birth. God himself was born to die to bring a great salvation to those who will call on His Name, Jesus, Yeshua, Emmanuel, The Lord, Almighty God, Prince of peace. Let us revel in the God who has made Himself known to us in Christ. Celebrate that fact, even in the midst of hardship and suffering, with God’s help. 

Prayer... Dear Lord, in the midst of this season help us to remember that You came into this lost, suffering, broken world in order to take upon yourself the sin that has broken us all. For many of us, our lives have changed, for some, seemingly not for the better. Help us now Lord, in this changed life and this new journey. Help us to lean on You and find strength and comfort during this month of December. Amen