"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). (Matthew 1:23, NIV).
I thought this Christmas would be like all the rest—mainly joyful with a sprinkle of stress and chaos. What I've found, however, is a heart searching for something that nothing in this world will ever satisfy.
Between wrapping presents, buying last-minute gifts on Amazon, baking cookies, learning choir songs, reading an Advent devotional, and trying to get ahead on work, my mind felt dizzy and overstimulated. This was supposed to be the best season. A restful season. And yet all I felt was tired. Tired of doing. Tired of creating. Tired of trying to feel joy in what used to be my favorite holiday.
However, over the years, I've learned that two things can be true at the same time. I can enjoy the Christmas season, but I still long for memories from my childhood. I can have fun cutting down a Christmas tree, but cry when it's time to throw it out and begin the new year. I can be present in the moment with my husband, but long for those who have passed from this side of Heaven.
The beauty of verses like Matthew 1:23 is that God is *with* us no matter where we find ourselves this holiday season.
For those of you curled up on the couch watching your fifth Hallmark movie and crying because you're not sure when your Mr. Right will ever find you (I see you, by the way), he's crying with you. You have no reason to be ashamed or defeated. He's with you.
For those of you sitting at the graveside, wondering why they had to be taken too soon, God is with you, holding you tight, and comforting your weary soul. He promises to wipe every tear, and He cares about the sorrows of your soul.
For those of you trying to be present, but being pulled in a million directions, He looks to you like He did Mary and Martha, and says, "Child, choose what's necessary right now." It's a simple invitation not just to lay your worries down, but to ask Him to help you prioritize what matters most in the present moment.
Emmanuel, meaning God *with* us, is my favorite name for God in the entire Bible. It's my favorite because it reminds me that God is with us, no matter what. And not only that, but His Holy Spirit lives within us. It's alive and active, and sometimes we need that reminder because God is with us even in the problematic and often uncelebrated moments.
If you're struggling this holiday season, no matter what it is, or where you are, I want you to know that God is with you.
I know what it's like to feel like God is distant or nowhere to be found. But I've made it to the other side, and I can tell you, He never leaves our side (even when it feels like He does). He won't forsake His children, whom He loves. And He loves you.
Did you hear me? The God of the Universe is with you. And the same God who crafted the skies above and the earth below, He not only formed you in your mother's womb, but He chose to be with you then, and He is with us now. He is with us because of His abundant, gracious, and everlasting love.
Today, I'd encourage you to reflect on these few questions:
-Where do I need to remember God is *with* me?
-Where do I feel unseen this season?
-Where am I struggling this season?
-Am I being honest with the Lord?
-What would it look like to invite God into this space? Even here.
Once you've taken the time to journal or talk to God about these thoughts, I'd love for you to conclude with this prayer. Make it your own. This is just a sample to guide you.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
The holiday season can evoke a range of mixed emotions. Especially when we're struggling, feeling weighed down, or defeated, would you remind us that you're God *with* us in the here and now? Please fill us with the peace of your presence and encourage us to come to you as we are, where we are. We need not be afraid because you care about and love your children well. We love, praise, and thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/AleksandarNakic
Related Resource: Instead of Doing More This Summer, Maybe You Need to Do Less
If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.
Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.
Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.
I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Monday, 29 December 2025.
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