I’ve only requested one thing for Christmas this year. I can’t wait for my husband, Allen, to play Joe Satriani’s song “Always with You, Always with Me,” for me on his guitar. Years ago I’d listen to this song repeatedly as the wordless melody somehow promised what the title claims. Always with you. Always with me. Isn’t that alluring? To have someone in our lives who will always be there with us? Oh how I longed for someone who could accept my serious side, my happy-go-lucky moments, the fearless me and the parts of me that shiver and whimper like a frightened little puppy. Always with you. Always with me. What a grand dream. Honestly, I think I would’ve settled for just a “hey, I kinda like you and I might stick around for a bit” type of joe or maybe even an “I’ll give you some of the attention you desperately crave, but then I’ll break your heart.” Sort of with you. Sort of with me.

But the story of Christmas is nestled in the beautiful backdrop of truth. No kindas, sort-ofs, or anything of the sort. This is the always with you, always with me romanticism our hearts could never even dare dream of. Savor the words you have heard so many times before. Allow them to fall afresh in a way like never before.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:18-23)

God with us. I want to challenge you this Christmas season to experience God’s presence in a way you never have previously. December usually is a month in which we run from one Christmas party to the next, go to umpteen different stores, send cards, wrap presents and find ourselves beat and exhausted. In the midst of the celebrations, it can also be a time of increased loneliness, depression or disappointment. Where, we might ask, is God in the middle of that? Please just look. Immanuel, God with us, looked very different that first Christmas than many expected. While hopes of a king coming in power to victoriously save the people from oppression kept most looking for jewels and crowns, the true Messiah humbly lay in a smelly feeding trough. And while we look for relief from our pain, suffering or loneliness, Immanuel may appear very differently to us this year. Perhaps it will be through the prompting to buy dinner for a stranger as Krista suggested or sacrificing something that affects you deeply for the benefit of another, as Michele mentioned. Perhaps Immanuel will come to you through the provision of a friend, meal, or touch. In this world of relativism, one truth still remains. God is with us.

This year, Immanuel might not be found under the tree, but behind it.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (emphasis mine)