“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23 NIV
If we think of Immanuel only during the Christmas season, we miss the whole point. God took on flesh and entered humanity not just to be with those who walked the streets of Bethlehem and Nazareth. He came to be with all mankind throughout all time.
The good news of Christmas is this: God wants to be with you! He entered your world to offer you a chance to know Him. Imagine knowing the One who made the universe, personally! If your life is going well, you may think, “Why do I need God, I have a good life and see no reason to change anything.” What you don’t realize is this: Every good thing in your life comes from God! Your health, your family, your ability to work and provide for those you love. It’s all God’s blessings on your life.
So why is God blessing you if you’re not serving Him or focusing any attention on Him? Simply because He made you and He loves you. He is patiently giving you time to understand who He is. The Bible puts it this way, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
You may not acknowledge your need for God, but the very breath you breathe is a gift from His hand. He is the one keeping you alive. “So why does God need my attention?” – you may wonder. He doesn’t. But you were designed for relationship. Not just relationship with other people, but relationship with God. That’s what He offers you, through Jesus.
Still not convinced you need to bother with God? If not for the benefits in this life, nor the fact that He deserves your attention, consider your future. You will not live in this world forever.
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV
Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation. 2 Peter 3:14b-15a NIV
Your time on this earth is temporary and short in comparison to the time you’ll spend in heaven or hell. Only those who pursue a relationship with God here on earth will have the joy of spending eternity in His presence in heaven. The comforts you enjoy in this life are gifts from God’s hand, given freely, whether you acknowledge God or not. But the gift of heaven is reserved for those who choose to receive that gift now.
If you choose to live your life without including God, that choice will follow you into eternity. You will not have the opportunity to change your mind when you leave this earth. Check out this story Jesus told to help us understand.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ Luke 16:22-26 NIV
As you celebrate Christmas today, and enjoy watching those you love open your gifts, consider the gift of eternity in heaven, the gift that God offers you today. Be glad that He came into the world He created to offer you a personal relationship with Himself. And if you have a good life, realize that’s because He has blessed you, and thank Him.
Merry Christmas.