God With Us

In the summer many families like to go camping. They find a nice spot in the woods or near a lake and they make a campfire and cook s'mores and tell stories and look at the stars. When it's late they pull out the sleeping bags and zip up the tent flaps and everyone gets tucked in the tent or camper away from the bugs and the bears. Something about being together makes everyone feel safe!

In the Bible we read about God's presence with His people. Many psalms mention how God is a "hiding place" or a "refuge" or a "fortress". And when God's people were wandering in the wilderness they had a tent called the tabernacle that would be placed in the center of their camp and they could see the cloud of God's glory hovering over the tent. They knew God was there with them!

When the angel Gabriel announced that Jesus was going to be born, it was in fulfillment of the prophesy that a virgin would give birth to a son, and they would call him Immanuel (meaning God with us). God was making His home on this earth in the form of a baby!

That baby would grow up and tell his followers about what it meant to love and obey God and live according to His ways. That baby would grow up and give his life on a cross for our sins. That baby would grow up and be resurrected to new life. He now sits up with his Father in heaven ruling over all things!

Even though were months away from Christmas, we celebrate EVERYDAY the birth of Jesus, that God sent His Son to be born as a baby, to dwell on this earth with us, and to give us comfort and peace in knowing, loving and walking each day with him!

I hope and pray that you know him and find comfort and safety in Jesus, Immanuel, God with us!

With love, Mrs. Bess