God Is With Us

This article has been adapted from a full sermon titled “Here” based on Philippians 2:5-11.

Is there anything better than the arrival of a newborn baby?

Think about everything that surrounds it—the anticipation, the joy, the waiting, the preparations. From the moment the news is shared to the moment that baby is finally placed in your arms, something shifts. Life feels fuller. Hope feels closer. The baby you’ve been praying for, planning for, and longing for is finally here.

That feeling—that announcement—is at the heart of Christmas.

When I think about that kind of arrival, my mind goes back to the births of my own children. Each one was unforgettable—and not always because it was smooth or calm. Debbie likes to point out that every time one of our kids was born, I seemed to have a medical scare of my own. I passed out when Riley was born. When the twins arrived, I had a kidney stone and ended up checked into the same hospital, just down the hall from Debbie and our newborn girls. Those moments were filled with vulnerability, fear, and uncertainty—but also with an overwhelming awareness of how desperately we needed everything to be okay. And what stands out most isn’t the chaos or the discomfort, but the moment afterward—walking into the waiting room and being able to say, “They’re here. And mom is doing just fine.” That’s the power of arrival.

Because Christmas is not just about a baby being born. It’s about who that baby is. The greatest news ever shared wasn’t simply that a child arrived, but that God Himself had come near. Jesus is here—Immanuel—God with us.

And those three words carry more weight than we often realize.

When Scripture tells us that Jesus would be called Immanuel, it wasn’t poetic language or sentimental imagery. It was a theological declaration. God had done something the world had never seen before.

The incarnation means that the eternal Son of God took on flesh. He did not stop being God. He did not diminish His divine nature. He became fully human while remaining fully divine. One hundred percent God. One hundred percent man. A mystery beyond full comprehension—and a miracle beyond comparison.

The One who spoke the universe into existence chose to enter it. The One who sustains all things made Himself dependent. The Infinite became an infant.

This is sacred ground. Without the incarnation, there is no salvation. No cross. No resurrection. No hope. Christmas isn’t a side story in the Christian faith—it is the foundation that makes everything else possible.

Philippians 2 gives us one of the clearest pictures of what the incarnation truly involved. Jesus, though equal with God, did not cling to His status or privilege. Instead, He humbled Himself. He took the form of a servant. He was born in the likeness of men.

This required a virgin birth—so that Jesus would be fully human, yet untouched by sin. It led to a sinless life—so that He could become a perfect sacrifice. And it culminated in a sacrificial death—so that our sin could be fully and finally paid for.

The descent of Christ is staggering. From heaven to a manger. From glory to a cross. From worship to suffering. And He did it willingly.

Why? Because sin had to be dealt with. And only a sinless Savior could do it.

But the story doesn’t end with death. Because God received the sacrifice. The resurrection proves it. Jesus was vindicated, exalted, and given the name above every name. And it all began with Christmas—with God choosing to be with us.

The incarnation isn’t just something to admire. It’s something to live from. And when we look closely at the Christmas story, we see how the presence of God changes everything.

It Helps Alleviate Fear

Fear shows up everywhere in the Christmas story. Joseph is troubled. Mary is afraid. Shepherds are terrified. The unknown feels overwhelming.

And in every instance, the answer is the same: God is with you.

This promise runs through all of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation. God doesn’t just send instructions. He offers His presence. And sometimes, that is exactly what we need most.

Maybe this year has brought uncertainty, loss, illness, or fear you didn’t expect. Like Joseph, you may not know what to do next. And the message God sends is not always a detailed plan—it’s a reminder of His nearness. Take heart. I am with you.

It Brings Comfort

God’s presence doesn’t just remove fear—it brings peace.

Think of Simeon, an old man who had spent his life waiting for the comfort of Israel. When he finally held Jesus in his arms, his waiting ended. The presence of Christ brought the comfort his soul had been longing for.

That same presence meets us today. God is with you in your grief. He is with you in loneliness, anxiety, depression, and pain. His greatest gift to us is not a solution—it’s Himself. His presence steadies us even when the waves around us don’t stop.

It Empowers Obedience

Something remarkable happens after people are reminded that God is with them—they obey.

Mary says yes. Joseph moves forward. The shepherds go with haste. Courage rises not because circumstances change, but because they know they are not alone.

Obedience often feels impossible when fear is loud. But the promise of God’s presence gives strength to take the next step. When we know He is with us, we can move forward—even when the road ahead feels uncertain.

This is Christmas. Not just a story we remember, but a truth we live from.

Maybe it needs reassurance. Maybe it needs comfort. Maybe it needs courage to obey.

Whatever the need, the answer remains the same. God is with us. He has come near. He has entered our world, our pain, our fear, and our weakness.

The baby in the manger is proof that God does not stand at a distance. He steps into the mess. He walks with His people. And He never leaves.

That is the hope of Christmas. And it is more than enough.

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