God with Us - December 21, 2025
Finding Our Way Home: The Gift of "God With Us"
Have you ever felt lonely in a crowded room? Or felt a strange sense of being "lost" even when you knew exactly where you were on a map?
In a recent moving sermon, Pastor Michael touched on this universal human ache. He explained that this feeling isn't just regular loneliness—it’s actually a deep-seated longing for the presence of God. From the moment Adam and Eve left the Garden, humanity has lived in a sort of "exile," searching for that lost connection with our Creator.
From the Temple to the Manger
The Bible shows us grand moments where God’s presence descended—like the fire at Mount Sinai or the glory that filled Solomon’s Temple. These moments were powerful, but there was always a distance. There were walls, rituals, and a sense of "stay back" because of God's holiness and our own brokenness.
But then, everything changed. Pastor Michael highlighted the beauty of Matthew 1, where the "zooms" of history shift from great nations down to a humble, nervous couple: Mary and Joseph.
The message of Christmas is found in one name: Emmanuel. It means "God with us." God in the Mess Pastor Michael reminded us that Jesus didn't arrive in a sterile, golden palace. He arrived in a "poopy barn," covered in the same "goo" every newborn baby is. He entered the dirt, the smell, and the struggle of the human experience.
Because Jesus became one of us, the "wall" is gone. We no longer have to climb a holy mountain to find God; He met us at the feeding trough.
Practicing the Presence
So, how do we live in that reality today? Pastor Michael drew inspiration from Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century monk who worked as a simple dishwasher. Lawrence discovered a life-changing secret: there is no difference between washing dishes and taking communion if you do it in the presence of God.
We are now the temple! As 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, God’s Spirit lives in us. We don’t have to wait for a special event to talk to Him. We can:
Quietly offer Him our thoughts throughout the day.
Talk to Him while driving or doing chores.
Lean into Him when the world feels loud and distracting.
A Challenge for This Week
This season, don't let the "hustle and bustle" drown out the quiet truth that God is right here. Whether you are surrounded by family or spending time alone, remember that because of Jesus, you are never truly in exile. You are home.
