Emmanuel – God is with us ( Matt 1: 18-23)

Christmas is in the air and the joy of Christmas is all around. It’s a wonderful time for family get together and enjoying the season with loved ones. But on the other side of the world, there are still people wondering if, it is just another Christmas of loneliness and pain.  There can be nothing in the whole world more heart wrecking than the pain of loneliness and rejection. Coping with these emotional distresses may mean a big price to pay and at times you may never want to invite a festive season in your life or to make things worse, you may even want to give up on life than taking these.

You may be trying to hide these feelings behind the shadows of anger, resentment or unhealthy habits and wreck yourself more. Rejection is painful. And so is loneliness and shame. Everyone wants to be accepted and loved. Nobody wants to be a left out, in a big world around. This is what King David describes in Psalms 69 as miry depths where there is no foot hold. He describes it as deep waters and flood engulfing him.

He explains his shame as below,

²⁰ Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

                                                                                                           Psalms 69: 20

If you can identify yourself with David, then this message is for you. God wants to deliver you from the grip of loneliness, rejection, and shame. If you are haunted by these feelings and is held up in a maze trying to work your way out, remember you are not alone. We have a savior who has gone before us, in the same path.  He is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. What can be more painful than to hang alone on a cross (a cross by itself a symbol of shame) battered and buffeted? Jesus was born to die. He lovingly embraced his cross, so that he can identify himself with your loneliness and pain.

His name is Emmanuel – meaning God is with us. God came down to sympathize with us and love us in a personal, intimate way. He is not a distant God. He has taken victory over rejection, loneliness and shame and he can set you free. As you sit and cry, drenched in your tears, he is there waiting to take away your pain. Are you wondering, you don`t have a shoulder to cry upon? This Jesus Christ of Nazareth can identify himself with you. He loves you and cares for you. 

This is what the word of God says about him in Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

·         So, run into his arms and cry out that you need him. He will speak to you and comfort you through his word.

·         He is Almighty God El – Shaddai. He can turn your mourning into dancing.

·         His name is Jehovah Shalom, the God of Peace. He will be the same to you.

·         Feeling lonely and rejected? Jesus can be your very best friend… as he is your maker and creator.

Cheer up my friend….. Let this Christmas mark a new beginning in your life with a lasting  companionship with Emmanuel. Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New year 2015.