A Devotion for the First Week of Advent

Emmanuel at All Costs

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel"--which means, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). 

A few weeks ago a member of our congregation discovered that her friend was planning on spending Thanksgiving alone.  Without hesitating, she invited her friend over for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a kind invitation offered with the firm conviction that there are certain times when no one should be alone.

True, each of us needs “alone time,” but none of us want to be alone all the time.  There are moments when there is nothing worse than being alone.  The highs and lows of life are best shared together.  It’s why we gather with friends and family for Christmas dinners, have visitations for persons in grief, throw birthday parties, and stop to see a friend when they've had a bad day.

Since we are created in God’s image and likeness, it should come as no surprise that God doesn't like to be alone either.  Our God is the God who refuses to be alone.  After all, we were created to be with God – to be God’s companions.  We were created to walk with God in close, personal relationship.  Sin is our choice to turn away from God – to leave God’s presence, and try to find our own way.

Advent is a time for us to remember the God who refuses to be alone.  Even though we turn away, God refuses to let us go.  The story of the incarnation is the story of God chasing us down.  On a starry night in Bethlehem God took on human flesh, and entered into the dirty, broken, messiness of life because God refuses to be without us.  Because, despite our sinful arrogance, God wants to be with us - forever.  Advent is a time to remember the God who is bound and determined to be Emmanuel “God with us.”