This song encapsulates what Christmas is all about for me. The lyrics that Steven Curtis Chapman penned in this song just blow my mind. No wonder he’s my favorite recording artist. What I really love in this song are the lines the lead up to the chorus during the verses. Check out the words…

But for all of us who journey in he dark abyss of loneliness

There comes a great announcement

We are never alone!

For the maker of each heart that breaks, the giver of each breath we take

Has  come to earth and given hope its birth

Our God is With Us…Emmanuel!

That was the end of verse one. Here are the words at the end of verse 2…

Until the one most holy revealed his perfect hearts desire

And left his rightful place.

And in one glorious moment, all eternity was shaken

As God broke through the darkness that kept us apart.

And the love that conquered loneliness

And hope that fills all emptiness

He came to earth to show our worth

Our God is With Us…Emanuel!

In spite of what you hear in the press, this is what Christianity is all about. This is what Christmas is all about. Celebrating the arrival of God on earth. I don’t mean to get all preachy. However, it is the hope that comes with the birth of Jesus that makes this a special time of year for me. I serve a God who is not some distant far off god who doesn’t care. I serve a God who has known what it is like to live as a human being…with all of our limitations. God not only designed humanity to the finest detail, but he came and experienced what it is like. He came so that we could not only serve him but know him and be known by him.

Not everyone has amazing, wonderful, joy filled Christmas seasons. As a person who is still waiting to start a family through adoption, I know the loneliness talked about in this song all too well. My wife and I have this missing person whom we have not met yet. As I see all the Facebook postings and all the Christmas cards, part of me aches. I have awesome friends who help through this time. However, there is only so much they can do. At the end of the day, Brooke and I still are waiting. Much like the ancient Hebrews waited for their Messiah. As I heard this song today, I was reminded of the hope I have that God will provide the absolute right child for Brooke and I to raise. Just like he waited until the exact moment in history he wanted to come to earth and live among us.

Life is not ALL bad. It never is. There are blessings that God has given me. When I think on those things, it helps me remember how good God is. I know that not everyone who reads this will agree with me. That’s fine. I’m not going to find you and beat you over the head with a Bible. However, since this is my blog, I will express that part of my life from time to time. I hope that’s okay with those of you who aren’t followers of Jesus.

It is my most sincere hope that this song will provide hope to those who may have lost sight of hope in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

I’ll close with I Have Seen the Light as sung by the Azusa Pacific University Choir and Orchestra with Alumni on the 30th Anniversary Concert. I started my college life at Azusa Pacific University and was in this choir back in the day. There are so many familiar faces in this video that it’s one of my favorites to come back to. I also love this song! I’ve sung it too many times to remember. Since it’s almost Christmas, I thought I’d throw it in again.

What does Christmas mean to you? Or, if you celebrate one of the other holidays, which one to you celebrate?