• God With Us

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    "All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! 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)

    God with us.

    One of the most stunning truths about the Christmas story to me can be summed up in three words: God with us.

    The same God who was the mastermind behind creation confined Himself to a baby's body. The same God who ruled over creation was content to be brought up by human parents. The same God who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was willing to humble Himself to die for those very beings who refused to worship and obey. God with us.

    When we're tired. When we're discouraged. When we don't feel like we can make it through another day. God with us.

    I can see evidence of God with me everyday. I see it in the sunrise that streaks across the sky. I see it in the music that moves my soul with every note. I see it in the people He sends across my path just when I need them. I see it in the circumstances He orchestrates into a brilliant set of events, otherwise known as my life story. God with us.

    God with us. Not just today. Not just tomorrow, but forever. No matter what life events arise. No matter what our days hold, we've got God with us and that fact changes everything.

    It puts the hope in the hopeless. The peace in the turmoil. And the love in what otherwise would have been lonely.

    God with us.

    That's the Christmas story. Not just sheep and wisemen, but what the birth of Jesus set in motion. Events that had been pre-planned by the ultimate God of love. Through Jesus coming to earth and dying for our sins, we were given a second chance. A way to restore our relationship with God. Our own story of Redemption.

    Maybe you're hearing this and you're longing for your own story of redemption. You might have wandered far and gotten mixed up in all kinds of things, but God is standing with arms open, ready to welcome you back. He loves you and Jesus died for those very mistakes that you made- that's the miracle of Christmas. That's the gift that was given in that manger. If you're ready to accept that gift of love and forgiveness, why don't you stop right now and pray with me,

    Jesus,

    You know me. You know where I've been and how far I've wandered, but I'm sorry. I believe in You and I ask You to forgive me of my sins. Today come into my heart, fill me with your Holy Spirit and wash me clean. Help me to get to know You and live an abundant life with You. I ask this in Your name. Amen.

    If you prayed that prayer with me, you just got what Christmas is all about. Immanuel, God with us. When we invite God into our lives, we know that He's with us, not just for today, but for all eternity. We're not alone and never will be and that is one gift worth recognizing and celebrating this Christmas. Merry Christmas!

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