Despite everything, God is forever with us. Lisa shares in this Christmas Day.
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matthew 1:23).
Merry Christmas! Happy Christmas. Comfortable, cozy, assuring, renewing Christmas.
This season has been filled with what seems to be more tragedy than usual for friends and family I care for. Loss of loved ones, accidents with life-changing outcomes, loss of pets, and of course, illnesses. Where is God? we can be tempted to ask.
He is here.
Perhaps you are reading this as you prepare for friends to come over for dinner. Maybe you are alone today and seeking comfort through this email. Maybe you have plans. . . But you have no idea how you will be able to fulfill them,
I wish I could wave a heaven-sent wand over all our lives and make them comfortable, rather than simply tell you heaven will be tear-fatigue-pain–free. I wish I could fix it for all of us–now.
And so does God.
And that is why He sent His son to the earth.
Jesus wasn’t sitting up in heaven bored. He didn’t become a baby out of curiosity of what it would be like to be human. God’s purpose in sending Jesus was to become accessible in a way He had not been before.
Jesus’ birth–and death–gave us the gift of being able to speak to God when we are sitting up in pain at 3 AM.
God is here. Our Immanuel is with us.
Regardless of what your day holds, this is worth celebrating! Because of this baby sent to live among us, God is with us in a way He was not previously.
May He bless your day with the hope that He hears your thoughts, your laments, and He catches your tears.
Many hugs.
About the author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of RM, but she considers herself a work in progress as she struggles with new emotions and challenges due to her illness and other things that occur in life. Never let go of the hope we can find in Jesus and knowing He loves us unconditionally.
How does it change your perspective on the chaos or loneliness of today when you remember that the purpose of Christmas was to send God and Jesus to us–to be with us forever?
This is “You’re Here” with Francesca Battistelli. Praise God, Jesus–and He–are here! -Lisa
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 