Don't Forget What Really Matters

It’s been a busy couple of weeks.  Thanksgiving has come and gone and the Christmas season has fully arrived.  I’m still working on completing my decorating and getting out my annual Christmas cards/letters, but I’m almost ready to relax and enjoy my favorite time of year.

But in the midst of all the trappings, I want to be sure that I am focusing my attention on what really matters about this wonderful season.  And this can be summed up in one word: Immanuel.  The word Immanuel means “God with us”; and Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of the world and everything in it, came to earth as a human baby just because he loved us and wanted relationship with us.  What an amazing gift we have been given!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . .”                                      John 1:1 & 14a

God, in the person of Jesus, literally came and “pitched his tent” next door to us – right where we live and in the middle of our everyday lives.  What this means is that although Jesus was fully God, he was also fully human – providing both an example for us and an advocate who understands us completely:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”                                                         Hebrews 4:15-16

Immanuel wasn’t just a gift for the people who were alive when Jesus walked on earth.  “God with us” is a reality for each of us every day.  Relationship with the one true God is available for everyone, and it is God’s desire that all of us would choose to take advantage of that opportunity (2 Peter 3:9).  And I can tell you from experience that there is nothing more valuable or meaningful than being in relationship with God. 

As this Christmas season gets into full swing, I’m going to try to keep my focus on what really matters.  I love all of the lights and music and family and friends that go along with Christmas.  But if all of those things were no longer here, I would still have the greatest part of Christmas – the gift of Immanuel.  And “God with us” will always be true, regardless of anything else – and that’s what really matters!