Throughout this Christmas Season we have been seeking to understand the power and meaning of the name given to Jesus in the Christmas Story- Immanuel: God with us.

The Christmas story in a word is "Presence".

The essence of Christmas is the presence of God with us in Christ. His presence changes everything. This is the amazing promise we find in the story of Christmas.

We need Christmas to be more than just traditions, carols, candlelight, gifts and gatherings.
We need Christmas to be about His presence because we've never needed the presence of God more than we do right now.

Loneliness is pervasive throughout our society today:
-At least a third of Americans say that they feel lonelier than ever before.
-20% more people report feeling lonely at Christmas as compared to other times of the year
-It impacts every generation, in fact, Gen Z (38%) and millennials (37%) feel the loneliest compared to other generations
-many have suggested a disconnected digital world is driving pervasive loneliness. We are “50% human and 50% technology.”

We are living in a world that is increasingly disconnected, anxious, and lonely.

The arrival of Jesus describes God's presence in Matthew 1. But the final words of Jesus in Matthew 28 also points to the power of presence.

So the same one who began as Immanuel, 'God with us', now proclaims 'I am with you always.'

For Further Study & Reflection:
Exodus 33:13-16
Deuteronomy 31:6
Joshua 1:5
Psalm 23:4
John 14:16
Hebrews 13:5