I’m privileged to sing a wonderful song this weekend for our Christmas choir production. It’s called “Emmanuel.” One of the most beautiful words ever – Emmanuel. It’s one of the names of Jesus and it means “God with us.” Indeed. Jesus came to be God with us, God among us. He came to in every way experience the human condition so He could tell us, “I understand” and we would know it’s true.

It’s absolutely incredible what Jesus did—that He came and confined Himself to a human body, that He was willing to enter the restrictions of that physical body, to the point of starting as a baby. He could have just appeared on earth as a full-grown man, but He came helpless, dependent, just like we are. He grew up, through all the awkward stages of childhood and adolescence. He became a man, all the while subject to the laws of this earth. He was hungry. He was thirsty. He needed sleep. He was tempted “in every way” just like we are, and yet was without sin.

Son of God. Son of Man. Emmanuel. God with us. God walking around on earth among us. Jesus came out of love to show us the way to the Father, to show us the way to live, to show us the way to true spiritual freedom—to show us that He is the Way.

It’s one of the best things in the world to know that we aren’t alone. We know that God is always with us, every day. He hasn’t left us. He still understands. And He still reaches out to us in love saying, “Come. Walk with Me. I am the One you need.”

God is with us…and God is for us.

How does it make you feel knowing God is with you today?