DAY 2 | God With Us
A 12-Day Advent Journey to Draw Near to Jesus — Experiencing the Presence That Changes Everything.
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Day 2 of Meet Him at the Manger. Yesterday, we slowed down and whispered, “Whatever it takes, Lord,” choosing stillness over hurry. Today, we take the next step—remembering that the God who calls us to stillness is also the God who stays with us.
Shelly Esser reminds us of this life-changing truth: Immanuel—God with us. He’s not distant or detached; He’s here—present in our ordinary days, our quiet prayers, our unspoken longings.
Maybe you need that reminder today—to know He hasn’t forgotten you, that He still walks beside you in every joy and every ache.
Take a slow breath and whisper, “God with us.” Those three words hold the entire story of Christmas—and the peace your heart may be craving.
With love ❤️
Your JBU Sisters in Christ
Our Sponsor — The Jesus Bible
✨ Now, as you move into today’s reflection, open your heart to sense His nearness in a fresh way. He truly is with you—right here, right now.
God With Us
By: Shelly Esser
The radio in my car was tuned to a Christian music station when the song “Immanuel” began to play. I don’t even remember who was singing. As I was driving along, the words “God with us” gripped my spirit. Having spent the morning laying out my heavy heart before God over all the brokenness in the lives around me, those three little words came alive in a way I had never encountered before.
God with us! God with us in our pain. God with us in our disappointments. God with us in our struggling relationships. God with us in our illness. God with us in our depression. God with us in our loss. God with us in our grief. God with us in difficult medical news. God with us when we go to work. God with us when we’re tired. God with us when we’re happy. God with us when we’re sad. God with us when we’re broken. God with us…period!
That’s the whole message of Christmas summed up in three words, isn’t it? Because of Christmas, we never have to walk through life alone, as God is and always will be with us. For our sake, God came to earth, entering the world as a baby, to walk with us in our humanity. He is not a God Who doesn’t care or is far removed from what happens in our lives. No, He is very much with us—aware of every single thing we have faced in the past and will face in the future. That is good news! It’s awesome news! It’s a reality I need to remind myself of over and over again, especially when I’m faced with tough times in life and as I walk out of this year and into the next one, not knowing what lies ahead.
Where do you need to remember that God is with you? We find the true peace our hearts need when we rest in the living presence of Immanuel. Let that reality sink in and give you hope today as you look to the coming year—and take a few moments this Christmas season to thank God for the promise of His presence with you!
Read:
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Psalm 139:1–12
Reflect:
Where do I need to remember that God is truly with me?
How might His presence bring peace into my anxious places?
What difference does His nearness make today?
Pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for stepping into our world so we would never walk alone. When my thoughts race and my worries rise, draw me back to Your presence. Help me to sense Your nearness in ordinary moments—in the quiet, in the waiting, in the in-between. Teach me to rest in Your love that never leaves and never changes. Today and every day, let my heart echo Your promise: God with us. Amen.
As you move into your day, remember—He is with you. Let His presence steady your heart and remind you that you are never alone.
✨ May this Advent day draw your heart closer to Jesus, who meets you in every moment.
P.S. Share this reflection with someone who needs to know that God is near.
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