December 25-Immanuel, Even Here

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“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen him, you love him, and though you do not see him now, but believe in him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

—1 Peter 1:6–9

Perhaps this Christmas season finds us in a place where we cannot see God in our lives; perhaps we are distressed by trials.

We see him all around in mangers, and others seem to bask in the joy of his advent, but we cannot.

Let’s take comfort in the fact that we can look beyond this moment—this “little while” of testing—to the glorious revelation on the other side of the fire, where our faith has been proven, all the worthless dross of this life burned away, and our love is purified.

Right now, we cannot see him, but because we believe in the “Immanuel, God with us” without seeing, we can still rejoice with joy inexpressible in what is to come, knowing that this endurance will result in the salvation of our souls.

We may grieve for what we’ve lost or what is missing in our lives, but let’s look further to see what we have—the guarantee of eternal joy in our Savior’s presence where all our sorrows are washed away.

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