Key Verse:

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

— Matthew 1:23

Rooted Truth:

God did not send help from heaven—He came Himself.

Faith Story:

The miracle of Christmas is not simply that a child was born. Children are born every day. The miracle is who that child was. God did not shout salvation from the clouds. He did not delegate redemption to angels. He did not remain distant from our pain.

…He stepped into it.

The eternal entered time. The infinite became an infant. The Creator entered His creation. The Holy One took on flesh.

Immanuel. God with us.

-With us in weakness.

-With us in sorrow.

-With us in temptation.

-With us in suffering.

-With us in joy.

-With us in death—so that we could be with Him forever.

Jesus did not come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive. The manger points to the cross. The swaddling clothes foreshadow the grave clothes. The wood of the cradle points to the wood of the cross.

And yet—this child was born not to condemn the world, but to save it.

Christmas declares the greatest truth the world has ever known:

-God is not far away.

-God is not indifferent.

-God is not silent.

-God is with us.

Scripture for Deeper Roots:

John 1:14 – “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”

Isaiah 7:14 – “Behold, a virgin shall conceive…”

Hebrews 2:14 – “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same…”

Daily Practice:

Today, pause amid the celebration and quietly acknowledge the presence of Christ.

Pray simply:

“Thank You, Jesus, for coming for me.”

Let gratitude become your worship.

Daily Prayer:

Immanuel, thank You for coming near. Thank You for stepping into our broken world to bring salvation, hope, and life. Help me live every day in the awareness of Your presence. Let my heart never grow cold to the wonder of the Incarnation. Glory to God in the highest.

Amen.

Deep Reflection:

• What does “God with us” mean for your life today?

• How does the birth of Jesus change the way you view suffering and hope?

• How can you carry the presence of Christ into the days after Christmas?

#DeeplyRooted #DailyRenewed

Devotions for a Grounded and Growing Faith