Christmas Thought

"Behold, the virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is , God with us." Matthew 1:23

Max Lucado's book, " In The Grip of Grace," contains the following passage: "There is no way our little minds can comprehend the love of God. But that didn't keep Him from coming...From the cradle in Bethlehem to the cross in Jerusalem we've pondered the love of our Father. What can you say to that kind of emotion? Upon learning that God would rather die than live without you, how do you react? How can you begin to explain such passion.?

When the Scriptures are searched one finds that Emmanuel -God being with us - is true for every time of life, for those who have been born again.

He was with us before we were born. "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mothers womb." Psalm 139:13

He is with us in times of trouble. "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock." Psalm 27:5

He is with us in times of oppression. "The Lord will also be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9

He is with us morning, evening and afternoon. "Evening, and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice." Psalm 55:17

He is with us continually. "Neverless, I am continually with you; You hold me by my right hand" Psalm 73:23

Because He is with us we can work with Him without fear. "...Do not be afraid, but speak and do not keep silent; for I am with you, ..." Acts 18:10

He will be with us when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

He will be with us forever. "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:3-4

During this Christmas season, take the time over to ponder the love of God for you manifested through the Child of the virgin. And after remembering pray for the peoples who have not yet heard.

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.

John Crocker