The Presence of Immanuel

No matter how lonely you may feel, you are never alone. Christmas can be a hard time for people who are separated from loved ones. The separation may be a result of death, divorce, distance, or other causes. The holiday merriment around you can intensify your sense of aloneness. But all My children have a resource that is more than adequate to help them: My continual Presence.

Remember this prophecy about Me:

The virgin… will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” — which means “God with us.”

Long before you were born, I was proclaimed to be the God who is with you. This is rock-solid truth that nobody and no circumstance can take away from you.

Whenever you’re feeling lonely, take time to enjoy My Presence. Thank Me for wrapping you with a robe of righteousness to make you righteous. Ask Me — the God of hope — to fill you with Joy and Peace. Then, through the help of My Spirit, you can overflow with hope into the lives of other people.

Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 61:10 NASB; 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV; Romans 15:13

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Those who wait upon Me will gain new strength. Spending time alone with Me is so good for you, but it is increasingly countercultural. Multitasking and staying busy have become the norm. During the Advent season, there are even more things to be done and places to go. So I encourage you to break free from all the activity and demands for a while.

Seek My Face and enjoy My Presence, remembering that Christmas is all about Me.

Waiting upon Me is an act of faith — trusting that prayer really does make a difference. Come to Me with your weariness and burdens, being candid and real with Me. Rest in My Presence, and tell Me about your concerns. Let Me lift the burdens from your aching shoulders. Trust that I am able to do exceedingly abundantly above all you ask or think.

As you arise from these quiet moments, hear Me whispering “I am with you” throughout the day. Rejoice in the new strength you have gained through spending time with Me.

Isaiah 40:31 NASB; Psalm 27:8 NKJV; Matthew 11:28; Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

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Prepare your heart for the celebration of My birth. Listen to the voice of John the Baptist:

Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for Him.

Christmas is the time to exult in My miraculous incarnation, when the Word became flesh and dwelt among you. I identified with mankind to the ultimate extent — becoming a Man and taking up residence in your world. Don’t let the familiarity of this astonishing miracle dull its effect on you. Recognize that I am the Gift above all gifts, and rejoice in Me!

Clear out clutter and open up your heart by pondering the wonders of My entrance into human history. View these events from the perspective of the shepherds, who were keeping watch over their flocks at night. They witnessed first one angel and then a multitude of them lighting up the sky, proclaiming:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace among those with whom He is pleased!

Gaze at the Glory of my birth, just as the shepherds did, and respond with childlike wonder.

Mark 1:3; John 1:14 ESV; Philippians 4:4 NKJV; Luke 2:13-14 ESV

Excerpted with permission from Jesus Always by Sarah Young, copyright Sarah Young.

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Your Turn

Let’s worship Jesus today, friends. Let our hearts overflow with hope as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our King! Let’s wonder at His glorious incarnation! Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear from you about the presence of Immanuel! ~ Devotionals Daily

Merry Christmas Eve from all of us at Devotionals Daily!