Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

The prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 gives us the name Immanuel, which means “God with us.” This name is the tangible evidence that God is not distant or too busy for our lives; He is fully present and actively involved in our daily reality. The Christmas story is the ultimate proof of this truth. The infinite and unhurried God stepped into our hurried, physical world to become understandable, relatable, and fully present (incarnate).

In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, the promise of Immanuel offers profound peace. We often get so wrapped up in the busyness of the season that we forget the quietness and uneventfulness of Jesus's arrival. This Advent season invites us to find rest in God’s plan and to stop projecting our modern anxiety onto the first Christmas. The truth is, the birth of Christ was marked by a quiet peace, and He was born to a people who felt like God had become painfully silent. The birth of Immanuel shattered that silence and confirmed that God was, in fact, with them.

As we navigate our own busy schedules and mounting to-do lists, we can anchor ourselves in the reality of Immanuel. We can choose to slow down and find peace not by escaping our responsibilities, but by grounding our actions in His presence. God wants our hearts , and He wants to be a part of our lives. The unhurried God became flesh for us, and we can honor that truth by making space for Him in our days.

Choose one task today and perform it slowly, reminding yourself, "God is with me," grounding your action in His presence.

Questions for Reflection

1. How would your perception of daily tasks change if you consciously reminded yourself, "God is with me," while performing them?

2. What if the hope we have is not found in a time of year but a person? How does the name Immanuel, "God with us," tie into this idea?

3. How can you actively seek to find God in a quiet, seemingly mundane moment today?