Matthew, the Gospel writer, says that Jesus' birth is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah that refers to a virgin conceiving a child and that this child will be called, "Immanuel" (Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 7:14). The word "Immanuel" means "God with us." Indeed, Jesus has been referred to as God with and among us (John 1:1,14).
Is He among us still? He promised, "I will be with you always" (Matthew 28:20b). When he faced His final days among His first century followers, He knew that after His death, burial and resurrection, He would ascend and He made sure His followers of every generation would know that they are not alone. "I will not leave you as orphans" (John14:18). His promised Holy Spirit would be in and with us.
These thoughts about God being with us are not limited to the New Testament. To Israel and Judah during the ministry of Isaiah He said,
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze...
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; [1]
Please join me in noting some key words from this text. It says "when" not "if" you face trouble. Trouble, whether it is a raging river or blazing fire, or loss of a relationship, a job or your health, is part of life on planet earth.
"You," God's child. Even God's kids face excruciating pain. We are not exempt. "I will be with you." Count on it. It's a promise. Immanuel is with us still. As you face trouble, you may have been wondering where He is. He is often in the shadows, out of sight. His voice is sometimes undetected by the sheer din of the ambient noise of our lives. Yet He is there. He is waiting for you to call upon Him, to invite Him into what you face. Please invite Him into your current situation and keep doing that. Make that a lifestyle. Your heart will truly sing, "Merry Christmas!" as you experience Immanuel.