Christmas Immanuel

Prepare your heart for the holidays in this devotion with Heather Hart.

Bible Verse for Today

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).”

Matthew 1:23

Devotion for Today

Christmas Immanuel

Immanuel is one of my favorite names of Jesus. I love that He is God with us. I love that because He is with us we don’t have to walk through life alone.

Every passing day draws Christmas a little bit closer than the day before, and sometimes I am tempted to panic. When I look at my to-do list and see everything that is left undone, it can be tempting to let worry set in. To shift my focus from the reason for the season to what feels more like a seasonal strain. It can get to where I am no longer looking forward with anticipation but stressing out over the moments.

But no matter what state of mind I am in, I know Jesus is right there with me. Because when Jesus came that first Christmas as Immanuel, He came one time, for all time. He died on the cross, but then He rose, and now He makes His home in our hearts.

I love that no matter what this holiday season throws my way, Jesus is right here with me. He never leaves my side. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus said, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus is with us always.

When I don’t get my to-do list done, Jesus is still here.

When my family plans get changed or cancelled last minute, Jesus is still here.

When I burn whatever it is that I forgot about in the oven, Jesus is right here with me.

When I am late for church, Jesus is in the car with me.

He is at the house with me. At work with me. He is ever-present, everywhere, and nothing I do could ever change that. He will never leave me or forsake me.

Even when I skip my quiet time because I think I’m too busy, Jesus isn’t too busy for me. Even when I put more emphasis on presents and man-made traditions than on Jesus, Jesus still loves me just the same.

Jesus longs for us to love Him with the unfailing, agape love that He loves us with, but He also lived and died for us because He knew we were incapable of it. So, while we struggle through this holiday season, we can trust that Jesus is right here with us.

Even when I skip my quiet time because I think I’m too busy, Jesus isn’t too busy for me. Share on X