God with Us

GOD with us

Moments of peace on earth during the busyness of Christmas

Reflections From

Welcome to

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

MATTHEW 1:23

The fun and festivity of Christmas brings with it a long to-do list. There are people to see, presents to wrap (and buy!) and meals to prepare. It’s exciting and overwhelming in equal measure.

Our Daily Bread offers a moment every day where you can simply be still and know the One who calls Himself “God with us”. The uplifting and hope-filled articles will help you draw near to Him in His Word, bringing a real devotion and joy to what can easily become a season of frantic activity.

Our Daily Bread Ministries has been opening up the Bible with people from all over the world for more than 85 years, helping them meet the God who cares. We pray this little Christmas edition of Our Daily Bread will help you draw close to the heart of Immanuel during this festive season. If you would like to read the encouragement of Our Daily Bread every day, sign up for free using the form at the back of this leaflet or visit odb.org/subscribe

Wishing you every blessing at Christmas, Your friends at Our Daily Bread Ministries

The Prince of Peace

And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [ ISAIAH 9:6 ]

When John’s cold turned into pneumonia, he ended up in the hospital. At the same time, his mother was being treated for cancer a few floors above him, and he felt overwhelmed with worries about her and about his own health. Then on Christmas Eve, when the radio played the carol “O Holy Night,” John was flooded with a deep sense of God’s peace. He listened to the words about it being the night of the dear Saviour’s birth: “A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” In that moment, his worries about himself and his mother vanished. This “dear Saviour” born to us, Jesus, is the “Prince of Peace,” as Isaiah prophesied (ISAIAH 9:6). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He came to earth as a baby, bringing light and salvation to “those living in the land of the shadow of death” (MATTHEW 4:16; SEE ISAIAH 9:2). He embodies and gives peace to those He loves, even when they face hardship and death.

There in the hospital, John experienced the peace that passes all understanding (PHILIPPIANS 4:7) as he pondered the birth of Jesus. This encounter with God strengthened his faith and sense of gratitude as he lay in that sterile room away from his family at Christmas. May we too receive God’s gift of peace and hope.

AMY BOUCHER PYE

How have you experienced God’s peace in the midst of a difficult situation? Which aspect of God in Isaiah 9:6 do you most need today? Why?

God of peace, when I’m anxious and fretting about many things, help me to turn to You and receive Your gift of peace.

Christmas Child

He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [ PHILIPPIANS 2:7 ]

Imagine the One who made cedars spring from seeds starting life over as an embryo; the One who made the stars submitting Himself to a womb; the One who fills the heavens becoming what would be in our day a mere dot on an ultrasound. Jesus, in very nature God, making Himself nothing (PHILIPPIANS 2:6–7). What an astonishing thought!

Imagine the scene as He’s born in a plain peasant village, among shepherds and angels and bright lights in the sky, with the bleating of animals His first lullabies. Watch as He grows in favour and stature: as a youngster, astounding teachers with answers to grand questions; as a young man at the Jordan, getting His Father’s approval from heaven; and in the wilderness, as He wrestles in hunger and prayer. Watch next as He launches His world-changing mission—healing the sick, touching lepers, forgiving the impure. Watch as He kneels in a garden in anguish and as they arrest Him while His closest friends flee. Watch as He is spat on and nailed to two wooden posts, the world’s sins on His shoulders. But watch, yes watch, as the stone rolls away, an empty tomb ringing hollow, because He is alive!

Watch as He is lifted to the highest place (V. 9). Watch as His name fills heaven and earth (VV. 10–11).

This Maker of the stars who became a dot on an ultrasound. This, our Christmas Child.

SHERIDAN VOYSEY

What would life and history be like had Jesus never been born?

What prayer or poem can you offer God to thank Him?

Jesus, thank You for making Yourself nothing so I could be forgiven.

The Day after Christmas

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. [

LUKE 2:19 ]

After all the joy of Christmas Day, the following day felt like a let-down. We’d stayed overnight with friends but hadn’t slept well. Then our car broke down as we were driving home. Then it started to snow. We had abandoned the car and taxied home in the snow and sleet feeling blah.

We’re not the only ones who’ve felt low after Christmas Day. Whether it’s from excessive eating, the way carols suddenly disappear from the radio, or the fact that the gifts we bought last week are now on sale half price, the magic of Christmas Day can quickly dissipate!

The Bible never tells us about the day after Jesus’ birth. But we can imagine that after walking to Bethlehem, scrambling for accommodation, Mary’s pain in giving birth, and having shepherds drop by unannounced (LUKE 2:4–18), Mary and Joseph were exhausted. Yet as Mary cradled her new-born, I can imagine her reflecting on her angelic visitation (1:30–33), Elizabeth’s blessing (VV. 42–45) and her own realisation of her baby’s destiny (VV. 46–55). Mary “pondered” such things in her heart (2:19), which must have lightened the tiredness and physical pain of that day.

We’ll all have ‘blah’ days, perhaps even the day after Christmas. Like Mary, let’s face them by pondering the One who came into our world, forever brightening it with His presence.

SHERIDAN VOYSEY

When are you prone to feeling low after a high? How can you ponder today all that Jesus has brought into the world?

Dear Jesus, I praise You for entering our dark world, forever brightening my days with Your presence.

Saint Nick

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). [ MATTHEW 1:23 ]

The person we know as Saint Nicholas (Saint Nick) was born around ad 270 to a wealthy Grecian family. Tragically, his parents died when he was a boy, so he lived with his uncle who loved him and taught him to follow God. When Nicholas was a young man, legend says that he heard of three sisters who didn’t have a dowry for marriage and would soon be destitute. Wanting to follow Jesus’ teaching about giving to those in need, he took his inheritance and gave each sister a bag of gold coins. Over the years, Nicholas gave the rest of his money away, feeding the poor and caring for others. In the following centuries, Nicholas was honoured for his lavish generosity, and he inspired the character we know as Santa Claus.

While the glitz and advertising of the season may overshadow our celebrations, the gift-giving tradition connects to Nicholas. And his generosity was based on his devotion to Jesus. Nicholas knew that Christ enacted unimaginable generosity, bringing the most profound gift: God. Jesus is “God with us” (MATTHEW 1:23). And He brought us the gift of life. In a world of death, He “save[s] his people from their sins” (V. 21)

When we believe in Jesus, sacrificial generosity unfolds. We tend to others’ needs, and we joyfully provide for them as God provides for us. This is Saint Nick’s story; but far more, this is God’s story.

WINN COLLIER

What’s your experience with gift-giving—is it forced or free and joyful? How does Jesus’ life change your notions of generosity?

God, I want to be generous, but I don’t always feel it. Help me to practise true generosity.

A Warm Welcome

Out of Egypt I called my son. [ MATTHEW 2:15 ]

Winter 2022 was impossibly tough in the UK. Soaring costs meant that the elderly, low-income families and millions of others were faced with the choice of heating their homes or putting food on the table.

In response, thousands of churches joined The Warm Welcome Campaign, offering their buildings as “warm spaces” to anyone in need.

“In the Christmas story we remember that Jesus was born in a primitive shelter and then fled to Egypt as a refugee,” explains the campaign’s founder. “His active ministry was amongst the poorest people in society. Churches are living this story today by stepping up across the UK to serve people in need and provide a Warm Welcome.”

The campaign rooted itself in Jesus’ own experience of suffering and His love for those who suffer. Even during His early years, God told Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, “Escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him” (MATTHEW 2:13). It wasn’t until sometime later that Jesus could return to Israel, thereby fulfilling the prophecy: “Out of Egypt I called my son” (V. 15). It was an ancient revelation that, right from the start, Jesus would suffer.

The trials and deprivations in the Christmas story remind us that our Saviour knows what it is to be poor and in need. When we suffer similarly, we can be sure we will always receive a “warm welcome” from Him.

CHRIS WALE

How does it help you to know Jesus truly understands suffering?

How might you be able to offer His “warm welcome” to others this winter?

Dear Jesus, when life is unbearably hard, it comforts me to know

You truly understand. Thank You that I am always welcome to bring everything to You in prayer.

Helping you connect with God every day.

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