God With Us

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”[b] 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Jesus’ story of life and ministry on earth begins with this Angelic conversation between Mary and Gabriel. Knowing that he has startled Mary (as angels tend to do to people), Gabriel’s first words to Mary are basically “hi” and “God is with you”.

Aren’t those the words that we all want to hear? To know that through the muck and mire, the sadness and the great joy that face us on life’s journey, that God is with is.

Sometimes we just need reminding of the most beautiful, basic truth of our faith…that God is with us. The same God that was with Mary is with you and I. The Lord doesn’t reserve any of himself for certain people over and above others. No, God is with us all. Every bit of him. Loving us. All of us. Always.

May we take a moment today to rest in the presence of our God who is with us.

“Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His name is called Emmanuel. God with us, revealed in us, His name is called Emmanuel.”

Hymn by Bob McGee, 1976

Prayer: Holy God, you are Alpha and Omega and yet here with us now. That is reason enough for Joy today.

-Amen