“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.”

Isaiah 7:14

I love Christmas! It’s my favorite time of year. All the houses lit up as I drive at night, my mom’s Christmas tree and village that she meticulously puts up every year, and just the moments that I cherish with my loved ones. But if I'm being honest, many times I feel this time of year brings a lot of weight on my shoulders with the responsibilities of trying to make Christmas meaningful, peaceful, beautiful, and memorable to my family. Not to mention responsibilities to other things like work, organizing get-togethers, planning, and executing said plans. You, like me, probably feel the pressure to hold the home together, create joy, all while wondering if you're doing enough.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign.” God was speaking to a people who were anxious, among other things. God’s greatest gift came quietly through a mother, into an otherwise ordinary moment. I think about Mary a lot leading up to Christmas and how she must have felt - nervous, worried, overwhelmed, exhausted, unsure, and maybe even unseen. But He sees you. He sees the love you pour out, the prayers whispered, the sacrifices no one else notices. Isaiah goes on to say, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel” which means “God with us.”

He is with you in every role you take on.
He is with you in the unseen moments.
He is with you when you're praying over your family.
He is with you when you're exhausted.
He is with you when you're trying to hold everything together.
He is with you, guiding, strengthening, comforting your heart, and filling your home with His peace.

In seasons when you feel stretched thin or unseen, remember God chose to come into this world through a mother. He honors this role you carry. He sees what no one else does, and He stays near, giving you peace in the places where worry wants to settle.

Closing Thoughts:

As you navigate the busyness of this Christmas season, each act of love you offer, each moment you pause to breathe, and each bit of light you bring into your home reflect the heart of Immanuel. Remember, the first Christmas was neither perfect nor peaceful, but Immanuel. God with us. God was with us then, and He is with us now.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your promise of Immanuel. God with us. Heavenly Father, please help me to remember you are with me in every task and every moment. Strengthen my heart and guide my steps as a wife and/or mother. Fill my home with your peace and help me rest in the truth that I never walk alone. YOU, Lord, I know, are the greatest gift my family and I could ever receive. 

Amen.

Bonnie Shaw