²³“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”^[a]—which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

Christmas is that God is now with us!

There is no path we can walk where Jesus will not go with us!

When I had all three of my children, I knew that the pain was something I must go through alone. No one could do it for me,

I was totally alone.

And yet in the pain, in the deepest moments of agony when I found it hard to breathe, I found the greatest sense of peace I’ve ever known. It was in that moment I knew that Jesus Christ himself knew what it felt like.

Yes, Jesus was a man but Jesus Christ was with me in those moments. I know it as well as I know my own thoughts.

Jesus wasn’t “God sits beside you and holds your hand.” My husband did that, but as much as he loves me, he could not bear my pain with me. Jesus Christ was there in my very soul, walking beside me. Feeling my pain. Understanding. I was not alone.

I am forever transformed by those moments.

Jesus is God with us!

More than that — He is God with me!

Is He God with you?

Have you let Him be?

Dearest Jesus, thank you for being born on this earth to become God with us! Thank you that you will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you that you are Immanuel. I am overcome with your greatness! Merry CHRISTmas, Jesus! Amen.