LISTEN to God With Us
Throughout the scriptures, God consistently reveals himself in the most unexpected places. He appears to Abraham one ordinary afternoon, to Moses amidst a burning bush, to the Israelites through a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, and the list goes on and on.

But the words spoken by the angel to Joseph in the first chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, might be the most surprising of all — “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel — which means God with us.” 

I can’t imagine what must have gone through the minds of Mary and Joseph. After all, God had chosen them, a young couple from a hick town, with no credibility and no parenting experience to be the earthly parents, the care takers of Jesus Christ. They must have been shocked to discover that God wanted his Son to live with them.

But the story doesn’t stop there. Throughout the rest of the Gospel Accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), people are consistently surprised to discover that God is indeed with them.

The Samaritan Woman in John Chapter 4 can hardly believe that God would set aside time to talk with her. The friends of Lazarus can’t believe that God would be mourning with them at the funeral of their dear friend. The thief on the cross is shocked to discover God hanging there in pain beside him.

With one great statement, the angel declared not only Jesus’ arrival but the surprising truth of his arrival … “they will call him Immanuel — which means God with us.” 

God. With. Us. 

Really? With me? With us? Who are we? We certainly are not deserving of His presence. Yet God seems to love the unexpected. 

During the month of December, as people all around the world reflect on the arrival of Jesus, Immanuel, God with Us … we will gather as a church to discover the unexpected places in which Jesus’ name and presence intersect with our every day lives.

God with Us? Absolutely.

Dave Clayton
Leader | Vision and Teaching