Immanuel, God With Us

I am not trying to be a Scrooge, but this really is not the "most wonderful time of the year." People are struggling. People are hurting. People are grieving. This is true throughout the year, but somehow, I think we expect those things to disappear around the holidays. Or, we expect the holiday joy to eclipse our pain and sorrow and grief. No and no. It's all here. Sometimes the joy and cheer actually seem to accentuate the pain, and it hurts. Sometimes it is even devastating.

So what is the hope of this season? Jesus. Despite all the pretty nativity scenes, Jesus coming to earth was not pretty. His conception was a scandal. Because of Him, His mother risked losing her betrothed beloved. His earthly father risked shame and humiliation. His parents were on a long and probably dirty journey when he was born. When that happened, Jesus endured separation from God the Father. He experienced the imperfections of earth for the first time. He started on His long journey to the cross.

Jesus gets it. He experienced the joys of the earth, and the sorrows. His birth is both a celebration and a sorrow.  As we go through this season, with its highs and lows, we can rely on Immanuel, God with us, to be with us through the highs and lows. We can rely on His presence. We can rely on His comfort. We can rely on His peace. He is with us. Always. Praise Him!