The Impact of Emmanuel

"Emmanuel - God with us"

We speak about "Emmanuel" and sing His Name throughout the Christmas season. As we celebrate the birth of Christ each year, we joyfully proclaim "Emmanuel, God with us"!

Yes, He is with us and oh how we love to sing and celebrate the Saviour at Christmas! But how often do we understand the impact of Emmanuel throughout the rest of the year? We know that God is ever with those who love and serve Him; we know that He loves us and hems us in (surrounds us) from before and behind (Psalm 139:5) and that He upholds us with His right hand (Psalm 63:8). But how deeply do we grasp the meaning of "God with us" in our everyday life? When we face new situations, do we know God is with us? When we are unsure of what is up and what is down, do we know Emmanuel? When a child of God is without a church family, does that child understand "God with us"? When there is a tragedy in the family or in your community do we let "Emmanuel - God with us" carry us?

This morning, while diving into my Sunday School lesson for next week, I had an "ah-ha!" moment of 'The Impact of Emmanuel'. For me, a deeper clarity of what it means to have God ever with me. With me in my day, in my responsibilities and situations, in my knowns and unknowns.

I am thankful and I am grateful that as a follower of Christ, I do not have to do life alone.