As Christmas draws near, the lights glow, and homes are decorated with trees that remind us of joy, hope, and love. But more than the gifts, music, and lights, Christmas is a celebration of the greatest promise ever made: God with us.
When the angel appeared to Joseph in Matthew 1:23, he announced:
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
This wasn’t just a message for Joseph; it was a message for all of us. God’s plan for Christmas was not just to send His Son into the world for a moment but to send Him into our lives forever.
So, as you gather with family and friends this Christmas, I challenge you to ask this simple but powerful question:
How do we keep Christmas with us all year long?
It’s a question worth pausing to consider. Christmas isn’t just a season; it’s a reminder of hope, love, and the presence of God with us. Those things aren’t meant to fade once the decorations come down. Here are a few ways we can keep Christmas with us all year long:
ONE | GOD’S PROMISE TO BE WITH US ALWAYS
One of the most beautiful things about Christmas is that it reminds us we are never alone. The promise of Immanuel, God with us, is echoed in Jesus’ final words to His disciples:
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
These words are more than instructions; they’re promises. No matter what we face in 2025 or beyond, we are never alone.
John Mark Comer says this: “God is closer than you think. He’s not off in the distance, watching from afar. He’s here, in this moment, in the breath you’re breathing.”
Just as Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to be with us, the Great Commission reminds us that He stays with us. Let that truth fill your heart like the glow of a Christmas tree filling a dark room.
TWO | GOD’S STRENGTH IN OUR WEAKNESS
The Israelites knew what it felt like to face uncertainty like many of us do during the holidays. But God’s words to them in Deuteronomy 31:6 are the same words He speaks to us today:
DEUTERONOMY 31:6 NIV “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Think about that for a moment. As you wrap presents and prepare for Christmas Day, remember this truth: You are not alone. No matter how big the obstacles ahead seem, God goes before you, walks beside you, and strengthens you from within.
Warren Wiersbe reminds us: “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you and the power of God cannot use you.”
In the same way that Mary and Joseph trusted God’s plan despite fear and uncertainty, you can trust Him, too. The same God who carried them to Bethlehem will carry you through whatever challenge you’re facing.
THREE | TRUST GOD FOR TOMORROW
There’s something magical about Christmas Eve. It’s a moment of peace where hope feels tangible. But for many of us, peace is hard to find, especially when we face the unknown.
Isaiah 41:10 gives us this promise: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
John Mark Comer puts it like this; “Worry is imagining the future without God in it.”
But Christmas tells a different story. Christmas says that God is already in our tomorrow. The One who stepped into the world as a baby continues to walk with us every step of the way. Do not fear. God is already ahead of you. His strength will uphold you.
Let this promise settle in your heart like the warmth of a fire on a cold winter night:
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. God is with you, and He’s already working for your good.
FOUR | GIVE YOUR WORRIES TO GOD
Christmas can be stressful: shopping lists, family gatherings, and endless to-dos. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But God gives us this simple invitation:
1 PETER 5:7 NIV “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
We are called to trust God with every care and concern. Imagine a child on Christmas Eve, wide-eyed with hope, trusting that good things are coming. That’s the kind of trust we should have in God.
Warren Wiersbe reminds us: “Most of the time, worry is the result of calculating without God in the equation.”
Don’t let fear steal the joy of Christmas from your heart. When fear creeps in, remember you have a Father who cares deeply for you. He sees you. He knows you. He loves you.
FIVE | THE GIFT OF IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US
Of all the gifts you’ll unwrap this Christmas, none will compare to the gift of Immanuel. God’s presence is the gift that keeps on giving, not just on Christmas Day, but all year long.
MATTHEW 1:23 NIV “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Immanuel isn’t just a name; it’s a promise. It’s a reminder that God is with us: When life is peaceful, God is with us. When life feels chaotic, God is with us. When we’re full of joy, God is with us. When we’re full of doubt, God is with us.
This Christmas, let the name Immanuel be your anthem. Let it be the light in the darkness, the peace in the storm, and the strength in the battle. Lean Into Him Like Never Before
Christmas is about more than lights, presents, and music. It’s about presence, God’s presence in our lives, our homes, and our hearts.
As we move from Christmas to the New Year, let this truth guide you: God is with you. He will never leave you. His presence is your greatest gift.
God never called us to do life alone. If you need someone to talk to, I’m just a phone call away at 901-515-6450. Remember, the best is yet to come.
From our family to yours: Britt, Everly, Frankie, and I, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
