GOD IS WITH YOU (Even if you can’t tell)

Every Christmas for nearly 30 years, my husband’s mother sent us a new ornament. There are creamy white Belleek castles and shamrocks and angels; engraved brass Christmas trees and stars; large globes covered with family artwork – enough to start the kids off on their own trees when it’s time.

Then one year, Mom couldn’t send us ornaments even though she’d picked them out. Suzanne Christmyer passed away soon after Thanksgiving, having lived a long full life and loved by her children and grandchildren. She was nearly 90.

If you’ve lost a family member, you know what it’s like going into the holidays. They leave a life-sized hole that sometimes seems as solid as they once were. I never thought much about those ornaments or what they’d mean, but last week as I took them out, unwrapped them one by one and hung them on the tree, they brought a rush of memories. I felt her presence, heard her laugh, remembered how much she loved us all. In that room by the tree, it’s as if she’s with us still.

But God IS with us still

“With us” is the gift God gave us that first Christmas. His presence in something far more real than an ornament: his Son born as a human child who grew to be a man. He lived with us and died for love of us. And even now, he is with us in the Eucharist … in his Holy Spirit … in our hearts.

Sometimes, though, we need reminders of his love. Sometimes he seems far away or even gone – as though he died forever, or like his resurrection didn’t matter. If that’s true for you right now, here are some promises from his Word to hang onto. I encourage you to write them on your hearts by memorizing those that have special meaning to you. Or maybe write them down and hang them, like spiritual “ornaments,” somewhere that you can see them:

He’s with you even when:

You’re afraid  — “Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

You’re in trouble — “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be in dread of them: for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

You feel alone or abandoned or weak — “I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” – Isaiah 41:9b-10

You’re persecuted — “The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more.” – Zephaniah 3:15

You’re sad or facing death — “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

It feels like God is far away — “I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

Emmanuel. “God with us”!

Hang onto these promises, too!

If you’re feeling far from God this week in spite of Christmas, curl up by the tree with your Bible and read some of these other ways God is with you and the things He will do for you:

John 14:16-17Zephaniah 3:17Isaiah 57:15Exodus 33:13-14

“I’m with you always, to the close of the age” Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 28:20. And he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”!

As you celebrate the coming of Emmanuel (which means, “God with us”), may you experience God’s presence in a very special way.

 

Make a spiritual pilgrimage through the Old Testament in the new year.  In Becoming Women of the Word, you will walk alongside women of the Old Testament who pave the way for Mary, mother of our Lord. Learn how Eve picks up again after the Fall … how Sarah trusts in the impossible … how rival sisters Leah and Rachel cope with unmet longing. Find a soul sister in Miriam or Rahab, Deborah or Ruth. Learn to pray with Hannah; from Esther learn to act boldly when you’re afraid. And from Judith – well, you’ll need to read to find out. Available from Ave Maria Press or wherever books are sold.

 

© 2014, 2024 Sarah Christmyer.

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