Tag: advent

“God With Us” — Finding Emmanuel in the Everyday

Christmas is more than just a season — it’s a reminder.
A reminder that God didn’t stay distant. He came close. Not just in a grand, dramatic way — but in the most human way possible. Jesus was born in a manger, not a palace. Greeted by shepherds, not royalty. The Savior of the world arrived in a way that tells us something powerful: God is with us right where we are.

That’s been the heartbeat of our recent lessons too — how faith shows up not just on Sundays or mountaintop moments, but in the ordinary, sometimes messy parts of life. Christmas brings that truth into full light. God with us — in the middle of real life.

Sometimes we picture the nativity as calm and serene, but it probably wasn’t. It was likely loud, crowded, uncomfortable. And yet, God chose that moment, that place, to enter in.

Isn’t that something?

Maybe you’re walking through joy this season. Or maybe it’s grief, stress, or just exhaustion. Either way, Christmas says:
God sees you. God is near. God came to walk with you — not just once, but still today.

It’s easy to miss that in the rush — presents, meals, schedules, expectations. But if we slow down just a little, we can start to notice:

  • God in the kindness of a friend
  • God in a quiet moment of rest
  • God in the joy of giving, or the strength to keep going
  • God in the stillness — or even the noise

Jesus came as Emmanuel — not just for a holiday, but for everyday life. He’s still with us in the mundane, in the sacred, in the struggles and the celebrations.

So this Christmas, maybe the best gift we can receive — and offer — is presence. Real, grounded, loving presence. Just like Jesus gave us.

Because God with us changes everything.

Questions:

  1. Have you seen God’s presence this season, in big moments or even small ones? If so, please share your experience.
  2. When you think of “Emmanuel — God with us,” what comes to your heart first? Comfort? Challenge? Hope? Something else?
  3. Is there a part of the Christmas story that feels especially meaningful to you this year? If so, why?
  4. What are some ways you’ve experienced God’s presence during a difficult time in your life?
  5. What’s one simple way you can share God’s presence with someone this week?

The Quiet Gift: Finding Peace in the Christmas Season

Two weeks before Christmas, it feels like the whole world is on fast-forward. Schedules overflow with events, and the pressure to create a “perfect holiday” builds. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush, but in the midst of the noise and busyness, there’s an invitation waiting for us—a quiet gift of peace, wrapped in the humble story of Jesus’ birth.

When the angels appeared to the shepherds that night in Bethlehem, their message was clear:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

According to this verse, Christmas is about glorifying God and about finding peace. But peace can feel elusive when deadlines, family dynamics, and holiday pressures creep in from everywhere. So how do we open this gift of peace in a season that often feels anything but peaceful?

1. Remember the Source of Peace

Peace doesn’t come from ticking every box on a holiday to-do list. It comes from knowing the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. When we focus on His love, His grace, and the hope He brings, the chaos around us doesn’t seem so overwhelming.

What if we started each day with a simple prayer:
“Lord, help me to see You today. Let Your peace fill my heart so I can share it with others.”

2. Embrace Simple Moments

The shepherds in the Christmas story weren’t VIPs. They were ordinary people going about their ordinary work when they encountered the extraordinary. The same is true for us. God often meets us in the simple moments—quiet morning coffee, a kind word from a friend, a song that stirs our soul.

3. Be a Peacemaker

Jesus didn’t just come to bring peace to us; He calls us to share that peace with others. During this season, we have so many opportunities to extend grace—to forgive, to show kindness, and to bring calm into tense situations.

As Christmas draws near, we have a chance to pause and unwrap the quiet gift of peace. In a world that often feels noisy and overwhelming, the Prince of Peace stands ready to calm our hearts and remind us of the true meaning of the season. Let’s step into that calm together and carry it with us, one simple moment at a time.

Merry (almost) Christmas, brothers. May your hearts be filled with peace.

Questions

  1. Is the 2024 Christmas season more hectic or less hectic (more peaceful) for you than normal?
  2. What part of the Christmas season tends to steal your peace, and how can you invite Jesus into that space?
  3. What small moments could you savor this week? For example, watching the lights on your tree flicker while you sit in silence?
  4. Is there someone in your life who needs peace this Christmas? Maybe it’s a strained relationship that could use a kind gesture or a word of encouragement.