Today we continue our Advent series entitled "God with Us".
Christmas, in a word, is about presence. You can't talk about the significance of Christmas, the most life-changing story in human history, without talking about presence.

This week we begin by understanding why the presence of God with us is such a foundational part of Christmas, and how we can experience His presence in seasons of uncertainty.

The story of Christmas challenges us to see that living in the will of God does not mean the absence of uncertainty. Living in the will of God often means trusting His plan in the face of great uncertainty.

Today, Christmas season 2023, will you trust in the one called Immanuel, God with us?

The story of Christmas may be the best evidence that we can trust his plan, no matter what.

Mary chose faith in the face of immense uncertainty. With her answer, Mary literally put her life on the line. Remember she is legally married, betrothed to her husband- to be found pregnant made her guilty of adultery, punishable by death. Her family would likely dis-own her. She could be shunned, kicked out of the house. Unwelcome at home or at church.

And what about Joseph? He certainly got thrust into his own set of uncertainties, didn’t he?

Matthew records his wrestling with it all.

Can you imagine the uncertainty that crashed onto the shore of Josephs life when Mary came to him with a baby bump and the story of Gabriel? It had to sound suspect, Joseph knew it wasn’t him. What was he supposed to do? He loved Mary, he loved the Lord, how could this happen?

Joseph’s dreams were seemingly shattered by the mayhem of uncertainty.

But the promise of Presence in the midst of uncertainty changed everything for Joseph.

By all accounts we have, Mary and Joseph were both living for the Lord. They knew is word, they trusted in him, they ordered their lives around following the Lord- but none of that shielded them for facing immense uncertainty.

We think it’s easy because we know how it ends, but there had to be times when the uncertainty was terrifying for this young couple.

The story of Christmas challenges us to see the truth that living in the will of God does not mean the absence of uncertainty. No, rather in Christ you can be sure, even when everything is swirling around.

That’s Immanuel. That’s God with us.

That’s the promise for those in Christ today.

What would it look like for you today to trust God in your uncertainty today No, we don’t know the future. But we can be sure of one thing: God is there