Immanuel

By Julie Reed

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

Next week I begin one of my favorite times of year at the preschool.  The chapel has been transformed into Bethlehem and the children will join me each day as we travel through the story of Jesus’ birth.  New characters are introduced to them each day as the story unfolds and culminates with a full live nativity for them.  I love seeing the joy on their little faces as they meet Mary, Joseph, the angels, shepherds and kings.  I may even get to hear a few squeals of excitement as they get to pet a real live lamb and donkey on the last day of our journey.  I love this time of year.

I started off this week introducing them to the new scenery and explaining to them how we are “waiting and getting ready for Jesus to be born.”  We have sign language that corresponds with that phrase and we began to light our advent wreath and talk about the different candles and the meaning behind them.  After a few rounds of repeating the phrase and signing, one little guy decided to pipe up.

“Jesus is already born, Mrs. Reed.  We can’t wait for him to be born again.” he stated to me.

“I know, sweetheart.  We are just celebrating his birthday and we’re excited about it even though it is not quite here yet.”  I replied.

“Well, he’s not going to be born again, so why do you keep saying that?” he asked me with a slight tone of aggravation.

“It’s just a way for us to remember Jesus at Christmas.  We should be waiting and getting ready to celebrate him,” I stated politely.

“He’s with us all the time, not just at Christmas, so I think it’s silly.” He stated matter of factly.

“Jesus is with us all the time. You are absolutely right.  But, we’re still going to say it this way just for our Advent Adventure time. Would that be okay with you?”  I questioned him back.

“Sure. I guess so.  As long as you know, He’s already here.”

I went home that afternoon and thought about this little guy and his conviction.  Children at this age are such literal thinkers.  Everything is black and white.  No cloudy or muddled hues of gray to sneak in there and change opinions or feelings.  They just stick to the facts and make a determination.

He’s right, though.  Jesus has already been born.  Jesus IS with us all the time.  He’s name is Immanuel, God with us.  Scripture tells us that in black and white.  No grays to cloud that fact.

So, at this time of year when we’re feeling a little lonely.  A little sad.  A little like our lives will never be the same.  Let’s remember…

While we hang the lights by ourselves….Immanuel.

While we pick out and put up the tree…Immanuel.

When we hang that special ornament…Immanuel.

When we go to Christmas parties and dinners alone…Immanuel.

When we shop for the kids wondering if it’s “right or enough”…Immanuel.

When we bake that favorite cookie of Daddy’s…Immanuel.

When we hold our candles on Christmas Eve singing Silent Night with tears streaming down our faces…Immanuel.

When the kids wake us early Christmas morning…Immanuel.

When we visit the gravesite Christmas morning to say “Hi, Daddy.”…Immanuel.

When the calendar changes to 2012…Immanuel.

God IS with us. He knows.  He hurts with us.  He catches our tears. He holds our hands.  He repairs our broken hearts because He is Immanuel.  May your season of Advent be filled with the hope, love, joy and peace that He came to give us all…regardless of our feelings or pain…Immanuel.  God with us.