Ponder Jesus’ coming this Christmas based on stanzas from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Week one’s devotion focuses on the first stanza.
Christmas is coming! For many people, this brings excitement and anticipation. They cannot wait to celebrate and spend time with family. Yet, hearing that Christmas is coming fills others with anxiety and even sadness. They worry about whether the family will get along. There may be an empty chair at the dinner table, leaving them to wonder what Christmas will be like without that dear family member who has gone ahead to heaven. Some people hear Christmas is coming and feel all alone, with little reason to celebrate.
Emmanuel is coming! No matter where we find ourselves in life, this truth brings excitement and anticipation. Emmanuel is coming, and that means our lonely exile is over. We separated ourselves from our holy God by our sins and selfishness. Instead of following our Father’s commands, we insisted on going our own way, breaking peace with him. Although we have only ourselves to blame for this exile, our Father did not abandon us. He sent his Son Jesus to restore us to his love. This Savior is called Emmanuel, a beautiful title meaning “God with us.” Jesus came as one of us, our Brother, to restore us to the family of God by facing the loneliness of the cross in payment for our sins. Our Emmanuel assures us that we will never be cut off from our Father’s love again.
Emmanuel is coming! Jesus, our Brother, remains with us so we never need to feel lonely. When life’s challenges and heartaches leave us feeling defenseless and all alone, we can remember Emmanuel, God with us. He will never abandon us to deal with our problems by ourselves. Emmanuel knows what we are going through and the best way to help us. When our hearts are heavy at the loss of a family member or friend who has died, Emmanuel assures us, “I am with you.” Our loving Brother will never leave us.
Christmas is coming! How eagerly we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth! God has come as one of us. Since he is at our side, we are never alone whether we face triumphs or challenges. Our Brother assures us we will live in his presence forever.
Our Emmanuel has come! Rejoice, for since God is with us, we will never be lonely again.
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel!
(Christian Worship 327:1)
PRAYER: O come, Emmanuel, and cheer us with your presence in our lives. Free us from our exile in this sinful world as we wait in hope for your return in glory. We rejoice that you remain with us as we put our trust in you. Amen.
HYMN: Sing along to the first verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” with Laudate Dominum.
Visit forwardinchrist.net/advent-2025 for devotions on the other verses.
Author: Paul Tessmer
Volume: 112, Number 12
Issue: December 2025
Illustrations: Corissa Nelson
