For this week’s Worship Wednesday post, Jennifer Wake appropriately focuses our attention on Emmanuel, God with us! No matter where you are this Christmas morning, know that He is there right beside you.

Emmanuel

by Jennifer Wake

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”

 (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:20-23 ESV

Emmanuel is the God who is with us.

God is with you when you are far from where you want to be. When you wake up surrounded by family, God is there. When you spend time telling stories and laughing, God is there. During a deep heart-wrenching cry, God is there.

When I see snow falling, I remember God is with me. I love snow for the holidays. Snow falling brings me a sense of quiet and peace. Now shoveling that snow… well, that evokes another emotion. Yet I do love snow and I know God is there whenever it snows.

I am from upstate New York, but following my soldier has taken me to the middle of the desert. That place was a desert in a couple of ways. No snow for Christmas; instead we had warmth and wind. Yet he was still right there with us. I was far from my family and far from where I wanted to be but God was there. He provided the unique story of a Christmas morning in a hotel room and surprising our family like we would at home. He gave us so many special memories, without snow and with lots of stress. Yet those memories have become our favorite stories to tell about at Christmas time.

That season has passed and now my adult children spend more and more time away from me. I still need to remember God is with me. He is also with them wherever they are, making beautiful memories for them to experience. I may not have my family around me for Christmas day but God is still with all of us.

On this Christmas Day remember God is with you. Rejoice. Be glad.

Share the good news of great joy. Jesus came to save us. 

As you spend this special day wherever you are, know you are loved. If you are far from family please remember God is with you. If you are with family, remember he is with you. 

No matter where you are, please remember those serving far and near. Know the Planting Roots family is praying for you and thinking of you no matter where you are.

King of Heaven by Hillsong UNITED perfectly captures the essence of Emmanual.

Merry Christmas from Planting Roots.

If you are in need of prayer, please know it is our honor to pray for you! Visit the Panting Roots Prayer page and submit your request.