Choose Not to Miss the Miracle of Emmanuel

One More Year of Choices

By Barbara Dahlgren

I love the Christmas season. I love the sparkly lights on the houses in the neighborhood. I love our artificial Christmas tree loaded down with inexpensive ornaments that have priceless meaning to family members. I love lyrical Christmas carols being played as we shop. I love trying to find the right gift for each loved one. I love sneaking a little candy wrapped in red and green foil from the bowl filled to the brim on the coffee table. I love watching old movies like It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas in Connecticut, and Miracle on 34th Street every year.

Speaking of miracles, I love the miracle that Christmas stems from – the birth of Christ. While all the miracles surrounding Christ’s birth are impressive, to me the real miracle of Christ’s birth is that our Savior Emmanuel came to earth to be with us. Emmanuel means God with us.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us.’” ~Matthew 1:23

God with us! What a miracle! It’s one I don’t want to ever lose sight of in the midst of all the other Christmas festivities. God desires to be with us – so much so that He came to us. He is with us all the time. He’s with us in the good times and bad times. He’s with us when we feel like we can’t go on. He’s with us when our hearts are breaking. He celebrates with us. He cries with us. He feels our pain, plus helps us cope, keep perspective, and survive.

“Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” ~Psalm 23:4

Many want to keep Christ in a manger or at a distance instead of letting Him be a part of our lives. As an added bonus, He will never leave or forsake us.

“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” ~Hebrews 13:5

Consider this… Christmas is a wonderful time of year. We may receive all kinds of gifts from friends and family, but the greatest gift of all is Jesus Christ. The very fact that He wants to be with us should fill us with joy – not just at Christmastime, but every moment of our lives. If we let Him live within us, we will never have to feel alone again.

 

Suggestions for practicing this choice…

Always remember that your life has purpose. Watch It’s a Wonderful Life. There are many life lessons there. Just think about what Clarence the angel writes to George in the last scene: “Remember, George, no man is a failure who has friends.” Maybe you think you don’t have any friends. Think again! Jesus is your friend! (John 15:15; John 15:13)

My favorite Christmas quote comes from Taylor Caldwell. “I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind is coldest, the world seeming indifferent.” Just think of the phrase “the message of Christmas is that we are not alone” and repeat it often. It does wonders for your frame of mind.

The above Taylor Caldwell quote comes from her short story A Christmas Miracle. It’s worth reading every Christmas.

Don’t isolate yourself at Christmastime. Invite someone over to share a glass of bubbly. Accept an invitation to someone’s house and bring some bubbly. If you think you have no one to share Christmas with, spend it with Jesus. He loves your company.

Memorize 2 Corinthians 9:15. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” The gift of Jesus is priceless. Give thanks to God for it often.

 

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