Immanuel. O come, O come, we sing each Advent night as we light our candles at the table.
Immanuel. Rejoice! rejoice! we shout on Christmas morn when the miniature baby makes his appearance in our nativity scene.
Immanuel. God is with us! This is the good news of Christmas. This is the holy wonder of the Incarnation. But it’s more than just the baby in the manger. It’s more than warm fuzzies under the twinkly lights. It’s more than a two-thousand-year-old miracle.
Immanuel means not only God with some other people back then, or God with us in some abstract theological way. Immanuel means God with us right here and now. If Jesus has really done this – brought us into the embrace of the Mighty God through the flesh and blood he shares with us – then it’s a miracle we can live out any day, not just Christmas Day.
Immanuel means we can live out our ordinary lives in the presence of God.
Immanuel is a reality for your every day, whether that’s in the craziness of last minute shopping, or in the quiet letdown when the decorations are put away for another year.
It’s a nice thought. One of the nicest there could possibly be. But how do we actually live it? How do we live aware of Him when we are awash in the messy churning of real life? And what does it look like when we barely have a spare minute to ourselves, let alone a sweet hour of prayer?
I used to feel guilty when, as a new mom, I didn’t have the time anymore for lengthy, uninterrupted “quiet time” with God. I wanted that time with Him, I so desperately needed that time with Him, but I couldn’t seem to make it happen.
And then I discovered a little old book with a timeless idea.
It was called Practicing the Presence of God, and it was written by Brother Lawrence, a dishwashing monk who lived a few hundred years ago. He learned to recognize God as “intimately present with us” at every moment. This is what practicing the presence of God is. Slowly, this concept began to transform how I thought about my time with God. I began a new practice – call it a habit, if you will – of living my days alongside Jesus. Of living with Immanuel, the one who wants to live with us.
So how do we go beyond singing about Immanuel to living a lifestyle of Immanuel? I’ve put together a list of things that have helped me learn to practice the presence of God. I’m sharing what I’ve learned in the hopes that it will bring you closer to Jesus as well, not just at Christmas but all year long.
Click here to read the list and find your own moments with Immanuel this season.
Join our 24 Days to A Christ-Centered Christmas group on Facebook HERE!
Looking for more Christ-centered posts, Advent activities and resources?
- Five Attitude Checks for Moms Keeping a Christ-Centered Christmas
- The Key to the Perfect Christmas
- When You Wonder If God Sees You: The Heart of Christmas
- Why Jesus’ Birth? How to Have a Christ-Centered Christmas {FREE Devotional Journal}
- 27 Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by The Messiah in One Day
- Immanuel Every Day: How to Practice the Presence of God
- How to Keep Your Christmas Spending In Check
- Focus on Jesus with a Unique Advent Calendar for Kids
- The Nativity Movie Unit Study
- Angels We Have Heard on High Unit Study
- 20+ Amazing & Original Christmas Gift Ideas
- Nativity Workbook for Kids: Free Printable
- How to Teach Children the True Meaning of Christmas
- Nativity Poetry Study {Free Printable}
- Treasured Redemption: A Christmas Devotional for Moms
- Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Christ-Centered Christmas Gift Ideas
- How to Make the Most of Your Christmastime Planning
- How to Memorize Nativity Bible Verses In A fun, Easy Way
- An Emptied Life: A FREE Christmas Devotional for Mom
- How to Celebrate Christmas with a Birthday Party for Jesus
- Free 12 Days at The Nativity Study
- 25-Day Bible Verses Christmas Calendar For Kids
- Christ-Centered Advent Activities for Kids
- Free Christmas Kindness Planner
Find Christ-Centered Christmas Decor & Gifts Here:
Fisher-Price Little People A Christmas Story
LED Flameless Nativity Candles – Set of 3Nativity Playset for Children 19 Pieces by BibleToys. Includes Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus. Christmas Toys for ChildrenMelissa & Doug Classic Wooden Christmas Nativity Set With 4-Piece Stable and 11 Wooden FiguresFisher-Price Little People NativityPLAYMOBIL Nativity Stable with MangerKurt Adler 11-Piece Nativity SetThe Nativity StoryThe NativityOutdoor Nativity Store Holy Family Outdoor Nativity Set (Large, Color)EasyGo Large Outdoor Nativity Scene – Large Christmas Yard Decoration Set and Reusable For Many Years!!Winter Wonderland Holiday Nativity Set LED ProjectorNativity Shadow BoxChristmas Holiday Nativity Mason Jar Decal Sticker Set – 24 Sheets2 Dozen (24) Make a NATIVITY SCENE Sticker Sheets Religious Education – VBS CHRISTMAS Party Classroom Activity FAVORS – Holiday GIVEAWAY by OTCCelebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas: Seven Traditions to Lead Us Closer to the SaviorCelebrating a Christ-centered Christmas: Children’s EditionA December To Remember: Creating Christ-Centered Family TraditionsA Christ Centered ChristmasJoy to the World: A Devotional Journal for AdventHow to Create a Christ-Centered Christmas for Your Kids: Practical, Hands-On Activities to Help Your Child Focus on Christ at Christmas12 Gifts for Christ: Traditions, Activities, and Devotionals for a Christ-Centered Christmas12-Day Nativity: Christmas Activities for a Christ-Centered HomeDiscovering the True Spirit of Christmas: Fifteen Minutes a day to a Christ-centered ChristmasChristmas: It’s Jesus’ Birthday, Not Yours (30 Day Devotional Series)Teaching the Gifts of Christmas: A Christ Centered Family Christmas Time TraditionChristmas Without Santa Creating a Christ-Centered Christmas
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