Emmanuel. God is with us.
I have heard this name of Jesus for most of my life. And I’ve taken its meaning for granted.
God.
With.
Us.
Have you ever stopped—really stopped—to consider these three little words? Nine letters that speak such hope.
We walk through our days—through this Christmas season—with sometimes burdened shoulders. Some of us are dealing with the loss of loved ones. Life-changing diagnoses. Income loss. Devastating changes. All of us are dealing with the impact of a certain pandemic.
And in this season where there seems to be an unwritten rule that everyone “be happy!”, sometimes we feel so very alone.
But . . . Emmanuel.
God is with us. He’s with us in each moment.
If we are His kids, we are never truly alone.
This is what became a candle burning bright in my heart: God is with me. He’s with you in every hard thing we’re walking through.
He doesn’t promise to remove the pain. But He assures us He is with us in the midst of it.
God our Father offered the gift of His Son to a broken world.
God.
With.
Us.
He’s promised to never leave or forsake or abandon us.
God with us . . . He’s promised to never leave or forsake or abandon us. #tellhisstory #godwithus Click To TweetEven when the pain feels like too much,
the disappointment overwhelms,
the hurts consume,
He is with us.
The Comfort in Knowing God Is With Us
In this season, I find hope in those three little words.
He is with us. Always. Forever.
We may feel alone because no one experiences our world exactly as we do, but God knows. He walks with us through each circumstance. Our Father gives us what we need so that maybe, just maybe, though we aren’t happy in our situation, we can know His peace.
We may feel alone because no one experiences our world exactly as we do, but God knows. He walks with us through each circumstance #tellhisstory #godwithus Click To TweetWhen we just can’t muster a smile or a happy countenance for the Christmas season, that’s okay. God is with us. He knows our pain. He wants us to remember He is with us in it all. Maybe our joy comes in the quiet knowing that we are known and loved. And maybe that’s enough for this season.
For those of you who are in a great place right now, remember God is with you . . . loving you and holding you.
And for those of you who have had a hard, broken kind of year, God is with you . . . ready to comfort and hold you in this season when we remember . . .
God is with us.
What about you? What helps you keep your eyes on Jesus during the Christmas season? Where have you seen God’s presence in your life?
A Couple More Notes
I’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas with a little gift. This photo is probably my favorite one from the past few weeks. I hope it offers a bit of rest and a reminder that you are greatly loved by our Father. You can download the photo by clicking here.
For the next few weeks, I will be taking a blogging break to spend time with my family. My prayer for each of you is that you find joy in each moment, that special memories are made, and especially that you experience God’s love for you in a personal way. I’ll see you back here on January 4th!
This week, I’m linking up with Grace and Truth and #Instaencouragements. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
A beautiful post about “God with us and holding us.” Thank you, Jeanne! I wish you a blessed and restful Christmas!
Thank you, Kathy! I hope your Christmas holds sweet memories and many moments of rest!
Jeanne, this is a good reminder. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa, I’m so glad you found this post a good reminder. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Christmas!
Jeanne, Emmanuel is one of my favorite names for God. Thank you for making it even more special by pointing out how He understands our unique journey through each day. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Deb, I’m realizing Emmanuel is one of my favorite names of Jesus as well. I’m so glad He understands us, how and why we respond to situations, and that He walks with us on each step of our journey. I hope you and your family have a wonder-filled, joy-rich Christmas!
In a year of having to be distant from others and experiencing isolation, at least physically, it is so reassuring to remember that God is with us, that in Jesus he drew close to be with us. I hope you and your family have a wonderful, happy and peaceful Christmas!
Lesley, I can imagine the isolation has been difficult. But thank goodness the Lord is with us always, even when we can’t be with people. I hope your Christmas holds much joy and sweet memories, my friend!
God is with me. It’s personal. When God is all you have, you realize he’s all you need. Through the darkest 10 months of my life, God was with me. There was never a time when I didn’t think he was even when I didn’t understand why. He was with me on long walks through the park to clear my head. He was with me when my heart beat so fast that I thought it would beat out of my chest. He was with me when my very life was in danger. There was and is never a time when I don’t know and sense him with me. He’s all I have.
Yvonne, you’re right. It IS personal. I am so thankful for your testimony of knowing God has always been with you, especially in the darkest times of your life. It’s an encouragement for those who are in those times now. He is the only Person we have who will never change or never leave. I hope you have a blessed, joy-filled Christmas.
I loved hearing your words today. They served as a much needed reminder that I didn’t know I needed. God is with us, yes indeed He is. I talk about this often, know it, but today as I read your words they washed over me in a unique way. Thank you. Merry Christmas! Maree
Jeanne – I am going to feature your post on Friday for our Grace & Truth Link-up. Maree
Maree, I’m so glad these words were a good reminder. I am so good at taking on all my “hard stuff” thinking I can carry it myself because it’s all up to me. I need to remember God is with me—with us—in every situation. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too!
And thank you for featuring this post! I’m honored. 🙂
Thank you for this encouragement and I pray you have a wonderful break!
Thanks, Lauren! I pray your Christmas season holds moments of laughter, rest, and joy!
Yes, we are all definitely unique and have different experiences, but thankfully also shared experiences in community! He knows exactly what we need. Have a heart full of peace this Christmas, Jeanne. We’ll see you in the New Year!
Lynn, you’re right. Even though we may feel alone in what we face, others have faced similar circumstances. There’s nothing new under the sun. I hope your Christmas holds much peace and joy as well, my friend!
That photo is beautiful & the perfect scripture for us at this time Jeanne!
I’m sharing some exciting news this week in
‘Alone in the Wilderness?’
https://teawithjennifer.blog/2020/12/11/wilderness/
Wishing you & your family a very blessed Christmas time,
Jennifer
Jennifer, I’m glad you enjoyed the post! I’m looking forward to reading yours. 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas!
Thank you 😀
Aw, Jeanne … I think we are on the same blogging wavelength this week! God is with us, in the midst of it all. And this: “We may feel alone because no one experiences our world exactly as we do, but God knows.” So much comfort in that, my friend. I’ll be praying that your upcoming family time is exactly what it needs to be. 🙂
Lois, I think we are on the same wavelength. 🙂 I’m so thankful God knows our experiences and how we process them. There’s great comfort in that. Thank you for your prayers. I hope you and your family have a special, memory-rich Christmas!
I love this hope-filled post, Jeanne. God with us. Three words, but oh, so powerful. And this – “Maybe our joy comes in the quiet knowing that we are known and loved. And maybe that’s enough for this season.” Yes, He’s got us, no matter what! Love and blessings for that quiet knowing for you and your family!
Trudy, I’m so glad you found encouragement in these words. Like you, I’m so thankful the Lord’s got us. I hope you have a special Christmas, filled with the Lord’s joy and the delight He takes in you. Hugs and love, my friend.
I find such wonderful comfort in knowing He is with me at all times. 🙂
Melissa, I’m with you on that! Have a wonderful Christmas. Will you get to see Rowen?
We are in quarantine right now, so we can see Rowan and baby sister Eden for Christmas. Everyone is healthy. We’ll see their Mom and Dad, too. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Oh, good for you, Melissa. I’m so glad you’ll be able to see your family for Christmas!!
Jeanne, this post was such a blessing to me, I can’t be reminded enough that God is with me, no matter what I am going through!
Donna, I’m so glad these words blessed you. When we’re swirling in the middle of hard circumstances, it can be easy to forget we are not alone. May you know His presence in these days leading up to Christmas and beyond, my friend!
Beautiful, Jeanne. I am so glad that the light from the Morning Star has found your heart. Yes, God is with us now and always. My favorite Christmas Carol has long been O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. So dark, subtle, and mysterious!
Laurie, I love that Christmas carol as well! The minor key, the call to rejoice, the remembering all Jesus and his family endured as He put on flesh to be with us. Have a wonderful Christmas, my friend!
It is easy to forget these ten letters. When we focus on them, they really do quietly change us and our circumstances. Merry Christmas, Jeanne.
Agreed, Theresa! I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve tried to carry all my burdens because I forgot God is with me. When we focus on Him and believe He’s with us, it makes all the difference. I hope you and yours have a sweet Christmas.
A season of the darkest days,
a view unto a kill,
but the God I choose to praise
is still Emmanuel.
Cherished dreams are turned to rust,
I stand at gates of hell,
but the God in whom I trust
is still Emmanuel.
The cancer will tear me apart
in manner harsh and fell,
but the God to whom I give my heart
is still Emmanuel.
My fate is sealed, but all is well
for He is Emmanuel.
Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas, Jeanne!
Andrew, this poem . . . had me smiling and nodding my head in agreement. It’s beautiful. Our God is always with us. And my prayers are with you and Barb, my friend.
Beautiful truths expressed with a vulnerable heart, Jeanne. This spoke to me, “Maybe our joy comes in the quiet knowing that we are known and loved. And maybe that’s enough for this season.” Yes! Merry Christmas! God is with us!
Karen, I’m so glad these words blessed you. sometimes, we just need to be still and remember we are known and loved, don’t we? May your Christmas be sweet and hold peaceful moments and special memories.
Wherever we are, I think this post should reach us, Jeanne. Like everyone else, I’ve felt such a wild swing of emotions this year, and I need this message as much as ever that God is still with us. Thanks, and may you have a blessed Christmas season with your family.
Lisa . . . a wild swing of emotions. What a great way to describe the yo-yoing of emotions this year has elicited. May we all remember God is always with us, especially during this season with its busyness, uncertainties, and desires for peace. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Good morning, Jeanne! These words, that photo –> ‘Maybe our joy comes in the quiet knowing that we are known and loved. And maybe that’s enough for this season.’
Yes, it is. Thank You, Jesus.
Bless your Christmas, bless your family, friend …
Grateful for that quiet knowing and trusting for grace to carry the assurance beyond Christmas!
Agreed, Michele! I’m so thankful God walks with us beyond the immediate challenges and joys. Have a special Christmas, hopefully with your family, my friend.
Linda, I’m so glad these words resonated. May you find those quiet joy moments throughout your holiday season. Have a beautiful Christmas!
Jeanne, this post was just what I needed to read this morning. God is with us in each and every moment. He has been with His people in the past, He is with us in the present, and He will go before us in the future. May you and your family have a blessed Christmas!
Awww, Joanne. I’m so glad God used these words today. You’re right . . . God was with His people in the past, He’s here in every present moment, and He goes before us into the future. He is ever faithful!
This truth is such a great comfort. Circumstances might not seem best, humanly speaking. But God walks with us through them.
Oh–and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Barbara, I am beyond thankful for the reality that God is always with us, especially through the difficult seasons! Have a wonderful Christmas!