CHRISTMAS - ADVENT - Good News, Great Joy - Jean-Luc TrachselSample

EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US INTO OUR WEEK

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means God with us.
Matthew 1:23

Christmas is more than a day on the calendar. It is the promise that God will be with you in your ordinary Mondays and busy Thursdays. Emmanuel is not a memory that fades when the lights go out. He is the living Christ who enters your kitchen, your classroom, your hospital bed, your train, or your office with a quiet strength. Wherever Jesus is welcomed, your atmosphere changes: worry fades, courage rises, and a gentle assurance settles in your heart—God is here with you now.

Think of morning light streaming into a room, transforming everything. Emmanuel does the same in your life: He illuminates your past with mercy, fills your present with meaning, and opens your future with hope. The Holy Spirit makes the nearness of Jesus tangible: He reminds you of God’s Word, warms your prayers, and turns ordinary moments into sacred encounters. God does not love you from a distance. In Christ, He chose to dwell with you, and through the Spirit, He dwells in you.

History confirms it. In the 17th century, in Paris, Brother Lawrence, a lay Carmelite and author of “The Practice of the Presence of God,” worked in a monastery kitchen. Despite boiling pots and repetitive tasks, he discovered that one could enjoy God’s presence even while peeling potatoes. He called it “practicing the presence of God.” People came from all over the city to feel that peaceful joy. Emmanuel transformed a kitchen into a holy place, and today He still transforms ordinary places around the world.

Be assured that this nearness is for you. Emmanuel does not wait for you to be perfect or reach a higher level. He knows your files, your upcoming calls, and your nighttime worries. His presence is your answer. The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into your heart, and fear loses its power. The same Jesus who calmed the storm in a boat watches over your week with authority and tenderness, strengthening your steps and clothing your soul with peace.

Emmanuel also transforms your perception of others. When God is with you, you see His love for those around you. Compassion grows, patience returns, and faith expects the best. Homes glow with kindness, churches become welcoming families, and workplaces feel wisdom and stability. His presence writes testimony into your daily life and gives sacred meaning to ordinary tasks.

This Christmas season, let trust grow. Christ did not just come into the world; He came to you. He dwells in your city, your home, and your life. Emmanuel is the fulfilled promise, faithful today and faithful tomorrow.

Prayer: Emmanuel, thank You for Your nearness. Lord Jesus, be present in every room I enter and in every decision I make. Holy Spirit, make me deeply aware of Your companionship and fill my heart with peace and courage. Let Your Glory rest on my home, my church, and my city, and let my life reveal Your kindness wherever I go. In Your Name, amen.

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Jean-Luc Trachsel