Jesus-Immanuel

Emery recently sang "Mary Did You Know" at her voice recital…. and I cried. Not because of her amazing voice (although I do think she sounds like a little angel), but because it reminded me of my very first Christmas as a mom. I remember rocking my tiny Em in the glow of the Christmas tree and really pondering for the first time what on earth it would have been like to be Mary. 

I remember thinking that she had to have been so scared (as any first time mom would be...but hello....giving birth to our Savior seems a little overwhelming...) and yet the Bible tells us that after the Angel Gabriel told Mary what the plan was she stated:  "Behold I am a servant of God." In my own head I have always added more to her declaration: "I am NOT a servant of what I fear." "I am not a servant of worry." "I am not a servant to my own plan." (All things that I am often a servant of.)

I remember tears slipping out of my eyes as I thought about how much I loved my new little bundle and how much Mary would have loved hers. I wondered what the next Christmases would look like, as any mother would. And I remember being taken aback at how loving of a God I serve to send His son to us and in doing so keeping every promise He has ever made. 

Holding Emery that Christmas Eve night gave me such a new, different, exciting, and deeper understanding of what God did in sending Jesus to be with us. Its even in His name: Immanuel-God is with us.

Jesus's birth is a story I have known since I was a tiny child. Sunday school and Christmas programs taught me well. But how often do I really still get excited about it? Oh I get excited for the holiday season alright. I love my Christmas lights and the music and the parties. I mean I even have a bright red "Merry" sweatshirt on and mistletoe earrings in as I write this. But that's not the excitement I am talking about. When is the last time I truly sat in awe and wonder at the gift that Jesus's birth is? The gift that God being with us, being with me, is?

I have been pondering this question since Emery sang. And God knows that. It seems He keeps placing conversations, quiet time, people and peace in my life that have been pointing me to an answer.

In sending Jesus, Immanuel, we have a sympathetic savior. Jesus knew frustration. Jesus knew weariness. He knew disappointment and excitement and joy and sorrow. Anything that I have felt, feel or will is not new nor am I alone. When God sent us His son to be born in a manger, He sent me the most personable, loving, understanding relationship. He sent me the most amazing gift.

I find myself full of ease and excitement this Christmas. Oh...I have plenty to do, the world is crazy, and all my kids won't stop coughing. But I just can't wait for Christmas. I thought maybe it was the extra days off work or my helpful husband, or maybe my kids being older and easier. And those things of course help. But what I really think it is is God reminding me of the most exciting story ever told.

I think its Jesus-Immanuel.

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." ~Hebrews 4:14-16

I am praying for those in my life who might be feeling more seasonal frustration, weariness, disappointment or sorrow than seasonal joy (and for myself to remember) to trust God to renew excitement for the season. May God pull us in close, so that we may receive His mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. May we remember that He is a relational and sympathetic God. May we remember that He is with us.

Merry Christmas from the Jansens