Jacob Orr

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel,” Isaiah 7:14

Immanuel. God with us. There are moments in our lives when we feel abandoned and alone. Lost. Hopeless. That feeling of loneliness is haunting. It sucks the life right out of you and you feel empty. Who or what could fill such an empty void?

Sometimes this feeling of loneliness is circumstantial. You have no one to come home to at night, no one looking out for your welfare, and no one to talk to who understands what you are going through. Other times, the feeling of loneliness is not a physical state but an emotional one. Have you ever been in a crowded room but felt unknown and invisible? It is my opinion that this particular type of loneliness is the worst kind. You are with people physically but relationally you could not be more isolated.

Where do we go for comfort in these seasons of loneliness? Where do we turn for some reassurance that all will be well? What relationship is there to make us feel whole again? This is the very reason Christ came – to make us whole again. 

Think of the message that the angel delivered to the shepherds. “Peace on earth and goodwill to men,” they declared to the earth. You see, not only does our sin separate us from God, but it separates us from the rest of mankind. People are quick to be hot tempered with one another, cause strife between others, and start wars and the like. These actions leave us reeling with grief and loneliness. 

But the angels brought good news of great joy! All that was broken would be mended by a Redeemer. It is no mistake that the prophet Isaiah called him Immanuel. The very act of God coming down to be with us is a great comfort. As John 3:17 says, “for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

This Christmas season, take some time to reflect on the coming of Christ the Savior. Jesus was born so that we could be placed again in a perfect community with the rest of mankind and with God Himself. 

No matter your circumstances and no matter where you are, God is with you. Right now, he is present with you. You are seen. You are loved. You are welcome. The shepherds – the lowest of all people in their society, were welcomed at the birth of the Christ. Because He came for all people. He came for me and He came for you. Take some time to be with Him this Christmas and every day. He wants to be with you. It was for this reason he left Heaven – for you!

His desire is to be with you. So He came. Immanuel. God with us. Take comfort, friend. God himself bent low to the earth so that he could welcome you with open arms.