The Greatest Joy of Christmas

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'—which means, 'God with us.'" —Matthew 1:18-23 (NIV 1984)

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God with us. Can you believe it?

God, YHWH—the holy and almighty Creator of the universe—with us—the distracted, dirty, disheveled creatures whose weak eyes are so busy examining the gravel beneath our feet that the glory of the skies and the King who has come are wonders that somehow never enter our field of vision.

Oh, Lord, would you—would you really kneel down to meet us? Would your perfect knees find a place on our silly gravel? Would your gentle hands really lift our chins to teach our eyes to know yours at last?

But that's His name, you see. He is Immanuel. He has come to dwell with us despite the odds against it, and that's the message of Christmas.

It's so easy these days to forget that, even when we talk about it. We write Bible verses on our Christmas cards, we see Nativity scenes all over the place, we sing all the old Christmas carols until our voices crack. But do we ever really get it? Even now, as I write this, I wonder if I get it. Immanuel. God with us. Oh, God, would you calm our rushing minds, close our anxious eyes, and quiet our pounding hearts? Would you teach us again how to be still and know that you are God with us?

I'm old enough now to taste the bittersweet crumbs of what the holiday season seems to be for adults. No matter how beautifully happy some moments may be, there is an inescapable twinge of sadness—often only a very small one, but it is there. I don't know what it is for you, but I do know that sugar cookies, candy canes, shining gifts, and perfect trees don't make it any better.

But I wonder...What if we began to take to heart what "God with us" really means? What if we realized the offer that rests before us on the open hand of our King?

The tiny baby whose birthday we celebrate today grew up, of course. He holds out His hands—scarred ones now, we know—ever asking us to accept the offer He has given, to know the life that springs from "God with us." "I've loved you the way my Father has loved me," he says. "Make yourselves at home in my love" (John 15:9, MSG).

I don't know what life holds for you right now. But there is a peace and joy that you can know, and it comes with Christmas. Sit for a minute and realize the truth that Immanuel is here. God is with us, and we are home—right here, right now—in His love. Let that be your joy today and every day to come. All the cookies and kin that present themselves before your gaze become grander gifts when bathed in the light of what Christmas really means. Rejoice, rejoice! Immanuel has come.