God With Us

God With Us: A Christmas Story

It was the week before Christmas, and snow gently fell outside the windows of a small town church. Inside, a group of children gathered for their Sunday School Christmas program rehearsal. Excitement buzzed in the air as the kids practiced their lines about shepherds, angels, and a baby in a manger. One of the teachers asked, “Can anyone tell me what Christmas is really about?”

A little girl raised her hand. “It’s about Jesus,” she said confidently. But another child chimed in, “And Santa! Don’t forget Santa!” The room filled with giggles as the teacher smiled patiently.

What about you? If someone asked, "What is Christmas really about?" how would you answer? Would it be about presents, family gatherings, or twinkling lights? Or would it be about something deeper—someone greater?

The Beginning of the Greatest Story

Let me take you back to the first Christmas, long before lights and carols. A young woman named Mary lived in the small town of Nazareth. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, a humble carpenter. Life seemed simple—until the day Mary received a message from an angel.

“You will conceive and give birth to a son,” the angel said, “and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:31-32)

Mary was stunned. “How will this be?” she asked. The angel explained that the child would be conceived by the Holy Spirit. It was a miracle beyond human understanding.

Meanwhile, Joseph faced his own dilemma. He discovered Mary was pregnant and knew the child wasn’t his. Hurt and confused, he planned to end their engagement quietly. But then, in a dream, an angel appeared to him, too.

“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife. What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)

Joseph woke up with a choice: trust God or follow his own understanding.

Who Is Jesus?

Joseph chose to trust. He took Mary as his wife, and together they prepared for the arrival of the child—Jesus. But who exactly was this baby?

John’s Gospel answers that question with breathtaking clarity:

John 1:1 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

and

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This wasn’t just any baby. Jesus was the eternal Word of God. He was there at the creation of the world. He was the one through whom all things were made. Now, He was stepping into His own creation, becoming fully human while remaining fully God.

But here’s the thing: people have always had different opinions about Jesus. Some say He was a great teacher. Others call Him a prophet or a revolutionary. Some even dismiss Him as a myth.

Yet Scripture leaves no doubt: Jesus is God in the flesh. He came to save us, not just from hard times or bad choices, but from sin and death itself.

God With Us

Matthew tells us that Jesus fulfilled a prophecy given centuries earlier: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23)

Think about that. God didn’t send an angel or a representative. He came Himself. He didn’t just visit for a short time; He made His dwelling among us. Jesus walked our dusty roads, felt our sorrows, and bore our burdens.

Have you ever felt alone or forgotten? Christmas reminds us that we are not alone. God is with us—right here, right now.

I once met a woman who had lost her husband shortly before Christmas. She told me that it was the hardest season of her life. But as she sat by her Christmas tree one night, reading the story of Jesus’ birth, she felt an overwhelming sense of peace. “I realized,” she said, “that Jesus understands my pain. He came to be with us, even in our hardest moments.”

That’s the beauty of Emmanuel: God with us in joy and sorrow, in light and darkness.

A Call to Trust

As we go back to Joseph. Imagine the courage it took for him to obey God’s command. He didn’t have all the answers, but he trusted that God’s plan was bigger than his understanding.

Faith often works that way. It’s not about having everything figured out—it’s about trusting the One who does.

As Joseph and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem and welcomed Jesus into the world, they were part of a story much greater than their own. That story continues today, and we’re invited to be part of it.

What Does Christmas Mean for You?

Christmas is more than traditions and celebrations. It’s about Jesus—our Savior, the Word made flesh, and God with us.

So, let me ask: Who do you say Jesus is? Is He just a figure in history, or is He your Savior and Lord? Knowing who Jesus is changes everything.

The True Gift of Christmas

Christmas is not about what we give or even how we celebrate; it’s about what we’ve been given. The true gift of Christmas is Jesus Himself—the eternal Son of God, wrapped in human flesh, stepping into our broken world to save us.

Think about this: The child born in Bethlehem wasn’t just a baby in a manger; He was the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) He came to live the perfect life we couldn’t live, to die the death we deserved, and to rise again, defeating sin, death, and the power of the devil.

This is why Christmas matters. It’s not about lights or presents—it’s about salvation. It’s about God’s relentless love for sinners like you and me. In Jesus, we find the fulfillment of all God’s promises. In Jesus, we find the peace, hope, and joy our hearts long for.

So, when you hear the carols, see the decorations, or sit by the tree, remember this: Christmas is about Jesus, the Savior who came to rescue you. He is Emmanuel—God with us, God for us, and God who will never leave us.

And this gift of Jesus isn’t something you earn; it’s something you receive. By grace, through faith, Jesus offers you forgiveness, new life, and eternal hope. This is the true gift of Christmas—a gift that transforms not just a season but your entire life. Amen