Though I was born into a Christian household and my parents were even pastors, my first and deepest heartbreak as a child arose from their rejection. First, my mom left. Then, my dad left. Physical and emotional abandonment by both my parents.
Growing up, my deepest longing was for love and acceptance, and my sole ambition was to find a place where I truly belonged. In my quest to fill the voids in my life, I made numerous misguided decisions, seeking solace in all the wrong places.
It was during these trying times that I found hope in Psalm 27:10 (CSB): “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.” Something deep down in my soul continuously reminded me I was not alone.
Yet as a young woman, I was motivated by my independence and the desire to rewrite my own story, so I met a man and married young. My then-husband and I chose to have a baby right away —Jesus was never part of our plan. Shortly after, I faced more abandonment and rejection, and received the label “divorced single mom.”
I ran headfirst into the arms of the world, silencing the Lord’s call by choosing unhealthy friendships and behaviours, and drifting further away from Jesus with each passing day. I was dying inside, and no one knew it but me. I chose to live out my self-defined truth, to follow my heart, and to manifest all the things the world had to offer in hopes of finding happiness. I didn’t realize that these attempts to reclaim my life on my own terms were actually the very chains that kept me enslaved to sin.
But Jesus.
It was Jesus who met me in my despair, mess, and loneliness. He never abandoned me, never gave up, and rescued me by filling the void only He could fill. He stayed true to His Word and loved and cared for me when I couldn’t love or care for myself.
I sit here years later, reflecting on a life that has been redeemed and entirely transformed, thanks to a God who has been with me since I drew my first breath — Immanuel.
The second half of Matthew chapter one recounts the story of Jesus’ birth. An angel reveals to Joseph that a child will be conceived by the Holy Spirit and instructs him to name the child Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy:
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:23 NIV
This is a passage you will likely hear if you attend a Christmas service or are in a faith space during this season. The story of Jesus’ birth is one of miracles, love, and hope for humanity. But today, my friend, I need you to know with all your heart, mind, and soul that Immanuel is God with YOU! Yes, you! It doesn’t matter how far you’ve strayed, how difficult life has become, or what mess you’re in — He is with you, for you, and cares for you too!
Christmas is about much more than just gifts under the tree, tasty foods, and a jolly man in a red suit offering temporary happiness. You know this, but are you living like it? Christmas is God’s promise fulfilled — the arrival of a Saviour not only for that special day but also for today. He is Immanuel.
Our God’s love is steadfast, offers peace that surpasses all understanding, and gives hope in the midst of chaos. His love met me in my chaos two decades ago and keeps meeting me today. He wants to meet you, too.
I invite you now to close your eyes in this moment and with the very breath He gives as a gift, speak out the name of Jesus over your circumstances, your family, your health, your present, and your future. Speak His name with faith. He keeps His promises, but we must actively surrender to His ways on this journey.
Today and forever, Jesus will be Immanuel, God with us.
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AMEN!!! Thanks for sharing your encouragement with us. Blessings (((0)))
There is a song I’ve heard on the radio and the lines in the song say what a beautiful name , the name of Jesus. Just saying the name of Jesus helps bring a peace to my heart when I remember to focus on Jesus and not the problems. A thank you for the reminder.
Dear Ligia……..My heart ached for you as I started to read your amazing devotion today. My family and I am 78 have abandoned me and I have no one else. They don’t like the fact that I am a Christian and my daughter-in- law has hated me since before she and my son were even engaged. My then husband of 54 years has dementia and tried to kill me. He would not follow the doctor’s directions and he was and still is a heavy drinker. Immanual is a very special meaning to me. One day I was driving home and I took the wrong exit and ended up in Philadelphia, completely lost, no phone, no water no medication and I had to go to the bathroom. I ended up at Fairmount Park where they have a lane to pull over and I sat there crying and did not know what to do. Philadelphia is a very violent city now and I was scared beyond belief. A car pulled in back of me and this man came to me to see what was wrong. He was a very wonderful black man and an Uber driver on duty, yet he stayed with me until he did many things to help me and called the police to come and help me. It was a half an hour, but they finally got there and he had lost money spending all that time with me while he should have been working. As he decided to leave once the police said they would get me back on the right road. I went to give him some money and thanked him profusely. I went to give him a hug and I realized that I didn’t know his name. I asked him and apologized for not doing that before. Ligia, he looked at me and said, “My name is Immanual”. My heart burst with so much joy as I knew who He really was. It was Jesus and a miracle that I will never forget. I have had several over my life. Please, everyone that might be in a very seemingly hopeless situation as I am. Do not ever give up hope as Immanual is always with us and we are never alone. I enjoyed your devotion Ligia and even though I am very emotional especially at a holiday we will be having soon, and I will be sitting in my apartment alone, I will be celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ and praying most of the day. I send my love and prayers to you and I am so happy that you have been in a much better place now. I know God has a plan for each of us. Sometimes the wait seems long, but I know something good will come for me. I wish everyone who reads and comments on these beautiful devotions, a Wonderful Christmas and Jesus will be with us………………Betsy Basile
Thank you for sharing your story, which is His story in you. I can identify with a lot of what you shared and can testify that Jesus is the only answer!
Ligia thank you for what you wrote all so true. I was talking to someone I know saved the other day. She said to me if you not got the Lord you have nothing. How true that is. We live in a world were people are searching for something and find nothing. They believe if I do this it will help me. They are getting stressed up some of them about life and the problems they have. As lot of them don’t have Jesus Immanuel as their Saviour. Some turn to drink and drugs thinking it will help when it doesn’t it makes things worse. They don’t see it. People are also graving from there loss because either, illness, shooting or knife crime or lost loved one to abuse. Which is sad. We need to as followers of Jesus pray for our world. As our world need Jesus. We the saved have to live living as the word of God does. That is being the hands and feet of Jesus showing his love to a hurting world and helping those in need like Jesus would. God will help us do that. Always remembering Immanuel (Jesus) is with us giving us the strength to do that and show his love to a world that needs Jesus. In my prayers all incourage. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland
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That baby called Jesus that was born in Manger went on to show a world they need a Saviour and how to live for him. Then he went on died on Calvary Cross for our sin because he loved us. No greater love was this. I say Amen to that. As Steve Green song says “People Need The Lord” how true that is. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland.