Finding Hope in “Immanuel ~ God is With Us”

Can you believe we’re already in December? It feels like this year’s raced past at breakneck speed. Christmas is only a blink away!

Our family keeps Christmas pretty simple, and I’m grateful. Doing so gives me the mental space to focus on Jesus as the real reason for celebrating this season. One of my favorite things to do is to meditate on His names. Take “Immanuel” for instance.

“The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him ‘Immanuel’—‘God is with us,’” says Isaiah 7:14.

“God is with us.”

What an amazing declaration! These four words have the power to change everything for us when we live from their truth.

Living from the truth of these words means also believing them on behalf of those we love. I’m constantly having to put this into practice.

Last week I helped my 86-year-old mom in Alberta purge her belongings. Now I’m back home, and nearly a thousand miles separate us. I worry less about her when I remember that God is with her and will care for her needs.

While I was in Alberta, I received news that my daughter-in-law spent a day in hospital in early labor. I wished I could have been present to babysit the grands, but that was impossible. I found peace in knowing God was with her and their family.

Also while I was in Alberta, my eldest daughter in Washington tripped while running. She required several stitches to close a gash on her face, and she injured her wrist. Again, I wished I could have been present to lend a hand in practical ways, but that wasn’t meant to be. I found peace in knowing God was with her and her hubby as they worked through this challenge.

“God is with us.” I can’t imagine four other words that bring hope such as these do.