God with Us

​Matthew 1:23 “’The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).”
 
I had a long day. I just wanted to sit in my easy chair and read my book, which has been on loan for about two months. I really wanted to finish that book.
 
I sat in my chair with a sigh, picked up my book, and opened it with anticipation. Then, my daughter skips into the room.
 
“Daddy! Let’s play something!”
 
I know I should be eager to play with my daughter. That is what good dads do. However, that day, I just wanted to sit in my chair and read my book. I was tired, and I wanted to finish that book.
 
I looked at my daughter in all her excitement. I looked at my book in my anticipation.
 
I looked at my daughter. I looked at my book.
 
And then, I remembered what season we were in.
 
Christmas is about Jesus Christ coming to earth, born of a virgin—God becoming a man. All so that He might live and die to lead us into a relationship with Him.
God with us.
 
Every day I live, I am reminded of the amazing truth that I have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. I can know him intimately, and he knows me thoroughly. Through this relationship, I have hope, peace, and love. Through this relationship, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am accepted by my God and will live forever with him.
 
Every day, I have the privilege of growing this relationship through the study of the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with His church.
 
Every day, I am in awe that I do not have to earn this relationship. All I had to do was believe in Jesus for my salvation and receive Him as my savior.
 
I looked at my daughter. I looked at my book.
 
If I want my daughter to have the relationship with God that I have, I need to model it for her.  God is with me. Therefore, I need to be with her.
 
I looked at my daughter. I closed my book. And played with her.