God With Us

Posted by Rev. Brittany Smith
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.' Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 'BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,' which translated means, "GOD WITH US." And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus."       - Matthew 1:18-25

Every year at Christmas I love re-reading the story of the birth of Christ. Of all the ways to save the world, God came down to earth in the most beautiful way, in the form of a baby. Man, in all of his sin, in all of his wickedness, and lost without hope, was given the opportunity to receive eternal life by the New Life born that precious night. He came over 2000 years ago to bring hope and light to a lost world. Jesus left His home in heaven to dwell with man, and was given the name Immanuel which means God with us! Jesus laid aside all of His power and glory as the Son of God to be born a baby in lowly manger in order to save us!

Christmas is the season of giving, but we must remember not to get so wrapped up in all of the packages, boxes, and bows that we forget the greatest gift of all- Jesus! God loved the world so much that He gave His own Son as a gift to the world, and the gift that God gave can still be received today! You do not have to go another day without this gift because the same Lord that came to save the world as a baby is alive and well today; and He is ever ready to save all who will come to Him and accept the gift of salvation through Him! Don't wait! Accept God's free gift of love this Christmas and make room in your heart for Immanuel, God with us, the King of Kings!

Love,

Brittany