EMMANUEL

GOD WITH US.

It took an overseas phone call to remind me again that Christmas is with us,

There’s always that momentary apprehension with an overseas call. It was a crisis for one of our family, who wanted us to know the details so we could pray. I replaced the receiver with a sigh, and a deep concern for our children in their dilemma, faced with two alternatives- panic or prayer. When dear ones are so far away there is little physical help we can give. As I began to pray, I had this overwhelming assurance of ‘Emmanuel - God with us - even with our children thousands of kilometres away. Immediately the burden lifted. God stepped in.

This is what Christmas is all about.

It’s not standing at the top of the escalator and watching people below bargaining for jewellery, bigger, better, and shinier baubles, expensive clothes or electrical appliances. It’s knowing God is with me in my quandary, my personal traumas, my situation.

Christmas is ever so meaningful as I identify with Paul.

With joy and awe he wrote his Colossian friends of the good news that God had chosen to make known to the Gentiles the glorious truth of ’Christ in you - the Hope of glory.’ Who needs a Christmas present when we have that love-gift. Jesus Christ, being God, in the presence and person of the Holy Spirit, actually living in me. Truly this is Emmanuel.

I well remember the morning in a Campaigners for Christ weekend of ministry when school master C.C.W. Harrison expounded the truth of Galatians 2:20, and came to the phrase

’ I died with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me….’

Suddenly it dawned on me that for years I had been living by my own ability. The gift that I could then receive by faith was Christ living in me. No longer need I struggle, striving so hard every day. Christ lived in me, and whether I needed spiritual, physical or emotional help, he is there to assist me. Emmanuel - God with us.

I see God’s presence in the beautiful, fragrant rose that my husband picks from our garden for me each morning. Or in the lfe of those beautiful grandchildren whose photos arrive from overseas to delight us. God’s creative power and beauty are all around me, and Christmas proclaims the name, Emmanuel, God with us,

Even in those moments of failure, disappointment, discouragement, that come to us all, He is there to whisper, ’Emmanuel - God with us.’

Like some of my friends I, too, have those moments as I drive to a meeting to speak, when I think,’ Lord, I wish I didn’t have to go.’ Our physiological cycles and hormonal ups-and-downs, often cause these feelings, which most women experience. Especially at these times, God’s presence is so real, so solid, and reassuring, as I recall the promise, ‘Lo, I am with you always.’ ‘I will be your strength.’ What He is really saying to me is ‘Remember Christmas - Emmanuel- God is with us.’

The greatest gift, of course, was the reconciliation effected between God and us, by the death of Jesus Christ. ’God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself’ God with me.

If you did not receive one Christmas present this year, could you be satisfied with this one superb gift - EMMANUEL - GOD WITH US?

Have a blessed Christmas Gwenda