We are reminded of this fundamental truth, "God with us", on at least a yearly basis as we read of the birth of Jesus in Matthew. Hopefully we hear the words and experience the truth of the words on a daily basis throughout the year. This Christmas season I invite you to let the truth of these words— "God with us"— penetrate every part of your being. Jesus, "God with us," moved into our neighborhood (John 1:9, The Message) over two thousand years ago. Those who accept the gift of Jesus and believe He is who He claimed to be, know through the power of the Holy Spirit, that God never leaves us. Yes, He is with us as we journey this earth. He is with us every moment of our earthly lives and we will be with Him for all eternity when we depart this land. This is not a truth that we hold onto waiting for it to happen. It is a truth we can rest in right NOW.

As I write this article I am just returning from a trip to Hawaii to visit my 84-year-old mother who has Alzheimer’s disease. She is more physically frail than when I last saw her one year ago, but her mental deterioration has not progressed as much as I had anticipated. I was not looking forward to the trip to Hawaii for a variety of reasons, but the real reason was that I simply did not want to face reality. Although the trip had it’s difficult times, it was a gift and a reminder to me that Immanuel, "God with us" is indeed with me in ways I cannot always appreciate…

My mother and I were sitting in the beautiful, flowered courtyard of my sister’s home. After an hour or so, our conversation had pretty well run its course. I asked her a question that I dared not ask one year ago: "Do you and God talk every day?" At first she appeared startled, and then a huge smile appeared, "Yes, we talk every day; He’s with me all the time. He talked to me through the plant on my dresser, you know. Debbie (my sister) came downstairs and found me crying on my bed. She told me about Jesus." Although my sister had shared the story back in the spring, there is nothing like hearing the story of a person coming to Christ first hand. Seeing the look of joy and contentment that comes from having made peace with God through Jesus Christ never gets old.

Alzheimer’s disease will eventually erase my mother’s memory of all things treasured. But I have this reminder given to me through her, "God is with me all the time." I thank God for this grace; I thank Him for sending Jesus, Immanuel, "God with us."

Carol Whorton, Pastor of Congregational Care and Spiritual Formation