Wait, Christmas isn’t over! No, I’m not referring to the fact that it’s officially a white Christmas in Charlotte for the first time in over 50 years, and most of us are enjoying a snowed-in Christmas weekend (or maybe not enjoying it so much ; ) I’m also not referring to the fact that “Day After” Christmas shopping frenzies have yet to fully kick in. I’m also not referring to those pesky neighbors who stubbornly refuse to take their Christmas lights down, even after Valentine’s Day.

I guess I’m referring to a spiritual reality that we so easily miss this time of the year. Enjoying friends and family, food and celebration… and yes, gifts, is a great part of the Christmas holiday. But it’s so easy in all the hustle and bustle, and Christmas carols, and infinite reruns of “Elf” on television to just miss that one phenomenal, earth-shaking Truth that humbly beckons for our attention.

“Immanuel”. “God with us.” This was a prophetic promise given to God’s people by the prophet Isaiah, hundreds of years before Jesus showed up. As someone who has studied other religious and spiritual belief systems, and has even now taught about them at a college level, the magnitude of this simple Hebrew word is absolutely unique to Christian spirituality. At the center of Christian faith is the unapologetically crazy claim that God, Who created the universe, actually entered into space and time and took upon Himself the form of a human body. And Jesus didn’t merely claim to be God (as many have done since then), but He demonstrated His power in miracles, in absolute perfection, and the most amazing gift of His own sacrificial death and bodily resurrection. Jesus was God. Jesus IS God. Jesus Is God With Us – Immanuel.

I was recently reading John 14-16 – Jesus’ last intimate moments with His closest followers on the eve of His crucifixion. In this passage Jesus makes a statement that is both reassuring and frightening at the same time. He says:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”

“Abide”. It’s another good word. It means “to remain, continue, to dwell with”. Jesus is not inviting His followers (and us) to a mere religious exercise. He is inviting us to BE WITH HIM. To remain, to set up a tent and hang out with Him…always. It’s a beautiful promise – that we’re never alone – and it’s also a dangerous calling. Only by being with HIM – constantly – do we experience true transformation, true meaning in life, and true spiritual fruit that affects and changes other people’s lives.
And here’s the really cool thing about it – Jesus is good on this promise because He is Immanuel. Don’t miss this! HE ALREADY BREACHED THE GAP AND CAME TO BE WITH US. We can abide in Him, because He already came to abide with us!

I’m absolutely serious, this powerful spiritual truth is completely unique to Jesus. This is why in the same passage He tells His followers “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me”.

Jesus wasn’t JUST a baby born in a manger. For the first time in the history of the universe, the living and eternal God took on flesh and blood, became a man, and entered into our broken, sinful, messed up reality. He did this to save us. He did this because He loves us. He did this because He is and will always be “Immanuel – God with us”.

Will you answer His invitation to abide with Him? Will you allow “God with us” to truly be “God with you”? Whatever you are struggling with – whether suffocating sinful habits, deep depression, rejection, loneliness, or perpetual self-centeredness – abiding with Jesus is the cure. In fact, it’s the ONLY cure. Jesus wants to be with you and to change your life, and in so doing to change the lives of others around you. Will you allow Him to truly lead your life? I hope and pray that you do.

Christmas isn’t over. True Christmas is every day. It is dwelling with Jesus and allowing this powerful truth to rock every facet of your life.
May your entire life be touched and changed by Immanuel – Grace and Peace to you in Jesus’ name.

Jeremy