Over the past few weeks, we have been in our series, "Unwrapping Christmas.” So far, we have looked at how God’s promises are yes and amen, and that He is faithful to fulfill His promises.

A few key takeaways from the first week about promises is to remember, that what God declares will be fulfilled in His timing, and that whatever He speaks He will do.

Isaiah 55:11 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Last week, Pastor Josh shared with you about the plans of God and how they often disrupt our own. The best part about God’s interruptions is that they are divine invitations. Many of the miracles of Jesus were the result of interruptions.

A few key takeaways from the message. Obedience unlocks God’s purpose, and God’s plans are never powered by human capability, but rather by divine presence.

This is where we will pick up today, presence. Jesus’ birth is the ultimate revelation of “Emmanuel—God with us.” He came not just to visit, but to dwell among us and ultimately after His death and resurrection to dwell within us.

Matthew 1:22–23 “So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.””

I want for us to stop and really reflect on the magnitude of this passage of scripture. The last several years I have personally had a “yeah yeah” thought process towards some of these familiar stories.

For some reason, this thought process of familiarity has caused me personally to rush past the glaring beauty of what is being convey in the passage.

As I studied, the Holy Spirit helped me to really pause and reflect on the significance of what is being declared in the name Immanuel God with Us.
It reveals God’s desire for relationship, not distance.

We have to understand, God doesn’t need us to exist, but He desires relationship with us. Let that sink in for a moment. He wants a relationship with you, and the baseline of the relationship is not based on your perfection or performance.

• He didn’t have to extend mercy in the garden, but He did.
• He didn’t have to give promise of one who would come and redeem the world, but He did.
• He didn’t have to institute temple worship and the law to help man draw near to the righteousness of God, but He did.
• He didn’t have to come in the form of His own creation, but He did.
• He didn’t have to become the sacrifice for our sin, but He did.

He gave the promise of His presence because He wanted to be with us. He would have been justified in immediate judgement in the Garden, and yet He chose to reveal himself in time through the person of Christ to restore relationship and bring salvation.

What I love is that the word of God reveals the heart of God. In Proverbs 8 wisdom is being revealed not as a principle, but as a person.

Proverbs 8:6 “Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things;”

Proverbs 8:14 “Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.”

Let me read you a portion of the scripture, and let’s see if you can pick out who it is talking about.

Can you guess who Proverbs 8 is talking about? Jesus

John 1:1–3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

The verse that stands out in the context of His desire for relationship with us is vs. 31.

Proverbs 8:31 “Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.”

Since the beginning, He has delighted in us, and His desire it be with us. As we unwrap Christmas, I can’t help but think that this is greatest gift we have ever been given. It is His presence that changes everything.

Most world religions are seen as a ladder where humans attempt reach upward toward God or enlightenment through effort and merit. Their message is that in order to achieve you must perform.

They center around the human quest, through traditions, meditations, or prayers to gain attention or favor of a deity.

The most powerful truth about Immanuel: God with Us. Is that God is the seeker. He came to us. The manger of Christ was the merger to restored relationship and presence.

The beauty of the gift of God's presence is that there is so much benefit associated with it.
His Presence:
• Provides Protection & Refuge: He is a "present help in troubles," a protector, and a source of courage, even in the "valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23, 34:15)
• Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.”
• Offers Guidance & Direction: His presence helps us know His will, guides our prayers, and leads us in righteousness, showing us the way out of temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13, Proverbs 3:5-6.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
• Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
• Fills with Joy & Peace: It brings inner peace and fills believers with joy, a deep sense of His love, and contentment, overcoming worry (Romans 8:38-39, Psalm 16:11).
• Romans 8:38–39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
• Empowers & Strengthens: It gives power and courage, enabling believers to endure and accomplish His will, even when weak (1 Peter 5:10).
• 1 Peter 5:10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
• Brings Transformation: Nearness to Him causes us to reflect His image. It brings Spiritual Renewal, Healing and wholeness, conviction and cleansing, and new desires. 2 Corinthians 3:18.
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Knowing that we have been given access to God’s presence, we must learn to take advantage.

Key Practices for Daily Abiding:
• Prayer & Listening: Take time to both pray and listen.
• Scripture & Meditation: Read, reflect on, and meditate on God's Word so it dwells richly within you.
• Worship & Gratitude: Engage in heartfelt worship and maintain an attitude of thankfulness for everything, big or small, which opens your heart.
• Silence & Solitude: Seek quiet moments away from distractions to hear God more clearly.
• Obedience & Service: Follow His guidance and serve others in love, seeing it as serving Him.
• Fellowship: Connect with other believers for support and shared experience.

John 15:1–5 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”