12-Day Advent Devotional for FamiliesSample

Day 2 - The Promise: Immanuel

One of the best parts of holidays is spending time with family. We come together, eat good food, and enjoy all sorts of fun with one another. No FaceTime; no phone calls. We’re together—we’re with each other. This is what we call the blessing of bodily presence. This wonderful gift is at the heart of Christmas.

Thousands of years ago, the prophet Isaiah was able to look into the future through the power of the Holy Spirit. He saw the basics of the Christmas story: a “virgin” would “conceive,” an act accomplished by the Spirit. She would “bear a son” by God’s miraculous design. His name was Jesus. He was no ordinary child, and he would have no ordinary life. He was the promised one, “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

The Christian faith is all about God being with us. His Son did not stay far from us. Nearly 2,000 years ago, He took on human flesh. He came close; He drew near. He did so because the biblical God loves sinners like us. He wants our salvation and desires our fellowship. The biblical God is living, personal, and active. He delights in relationships with people just like us.

In this fallen world, we all feel lonely and lost at times. But we can take comfort in this: Jesus is not far from us. He is Immanuel.

Isaiah promised that Jesus would come, and God kept his promise (see Matthew 1:21-23). Now, through the Holy Spirit living in every Christian, there is never a moment when God is not with us; there is never a moment when we are not with God.

Prayer:

Father, thank you that you sent Immanuel to us! You do not want us to be alone; you love drawing near to us. Help us to remember this promise that you kept. Please fill our hearts with joy and gladness as we remember that Jesus is always with his people, and will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

In Jesus’ name, amen.