DECEMBER 2016

​This article is a repost from December 2013 – The Beach’s first year at Park Church
 
My daughter Madison was watching television a few weeks ago and saw a commercial for a Hallmark ornament called the Santa signal.  It was the one that is supposed to let Santa know where you are.  When Madison saw the commercial she was very excited about it and thought that we should get it.   I think she was worried that since this will be the first year in this parsonage, Santa may not know where we are.  She doesn’t have much faith in Santa’s underground network.  And really if the oriental trading magazine can find us and send us another magazine in just a few weeks (really how do they do that so fast), surely Santa can do it in six months.
                As I thought about Madison’s desire for the ornament and the reasoning behind it, I get happy because my Lord always knows where I am.  (He really does see me when I am sleeping and knows when I am awake).  I may feel lost, but He always knows where I am.  I may feel alone, but He is always with me.  I may try to hide, but I can’t get away.  David reminds us in Psalm 139 about how God is everywhere.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10
 
Although the truth that God is always where I am is a great truth to remember, an even deeper truth is that He wants to be with you and me.  Not only is He where I am but He wants to be with me, or maybe more correctly said, He wants me to be with Him.  We find the fulfillment of this truth in one of those names of Jesus.  In Isaiah we read:  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)  We learn in Matthew that Immanuel means, God with us.  How crazy is that.  David reminds us that we can’t get away from His Spirit, but Jesus reminds us that He wants to be with us. 
                This season as you see Christmas trees decorated with ornaments, and you might see one that has the Santa Signal ornament on it, remember that not only does God know exactly where you are, what you are going through and how to be your Lord in every situation, but also He desires to be with you.  He was, He is Immanuel – God with us.
 
In Christ,
Lynn