One of my favorite names for God is “Immanuel”. That’s because this name means “God with us”. 

What does it mean that God is with us?

First, I’ll speak for myself: 

I lived overseas for ten years... so it has meant that no matter where I've been (in the U.S. or overseas), God has been present with me consistently! 

He was there, providing me with stability when I was in another country, where everything seemed chaotic and strange. 

He guided me when I was unsure about how to explain the Gospel clearly with those who had never heard it before. 

He provided guidance and direction, strength and help in a foreign country.

It's impossible to list all of the ways that God has shown Himself as Immanuel (meaning, "God with us") in my life! 

In the Bible, Jesus is called “The Word”:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)... “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)

“The Word” came to earth, was born as a baby named Jesus, and lived among us as a human being! 

We don’t have a God who demands for us to climb our way up to Him, or work hard at becoming good enough to merit His favor, or strive to identify with Him because He can’t identify with us. 

On the contrary, HE came down to US... into our world! He can identify with all of the things that you struggle with, because He lived in a human body himself, and struggled with human limitations, just like the ones that you experience! 

Although Jesus is God, He CHOSE to live for a time as you do, struggling with troubled circumstances and emotions. 

“...He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”...And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.” -Luke 22:41-42, 44

Jesus still remembers what it's like to live here on earth. He hasn’t forgotten anything about that experience. He identifies with you in every way! 

And Jesus continually prays for you:

“Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.” -Hebrews 7:25

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” -Hebrews 4:15-16

The baby in the manger is also the God who reached down from heaven to you! He died for you, He came back to life, and He wants to walk with you throughout every moment of your life!

God is right here with you!