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10th Day of Christmas Giveaways with Micca Campbell

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12 Days of Christmas at KarenEhman.com

Welcome to the 10th Day of Christmas Giveaways!!!

12 days of Christmas at KarenEhman.comToday my friend Micca Campbell is here to share her post, “Immanuel, God with Us.” She is giving away Ann Voskamp’s book, “The Greatest Gift, Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas.”   Micca Campbell is an author of, Untroubled Heart, and a national speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Micca’s passion is to help others Fear Less and Live More of the abundant life in Christ. Connect with her on Facebook, twitter, and her site at miccacampbell.com

To join in on the fun and be entered to win the various prizes, simply leave a comment on the post answering the question of the day. ALSO—one grand prize will be given to one person who comments on all 12 days.

The Grand Prize is a $50 gift certificate to Proverbs 31 Ministries store and a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com!!!

Now here is Micca for today’s post…

Immanuel God With Us

I woke to the cooing of my 8-month-old son in need of a dry diaper and a bottle. By the time I got to his room, I was fully awake to my reality. It was Christmas morning. Sigh. I had dreaded the arrival of this day.
It was the first Christmas after my husband’s death.
Most of my days consisted of loneliness and grief. I knew facing the holidays would be worse. I felt so alone.
My heart was joyless. There was no one to wish a Merry Christmas. No gifts to open. No celebration. For me, it was just another ordinary day of going through the motions. I’d care for my son and try to survive the grief and loneliness.
Have you ever been this lonely? Your situation may not be like mine, but I do know during difficult times God often feels distant. Uncaring. Unresponsive. Unaware. And yet, Psalm 139:7 challenged my feelings that Christmas Day.
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (NIV)
The Psalmist was clear. God is everywhere. There is nowhere I can go that God is not already there.
As I pondered this truth, hope began to rise in my heart. I am never alone because God is with me in every situation, good or bad.
Isn’t this the message of Christmas — God is with us? Isn’t this the essence of our faith — God is with us?
Perhaps this is what inspired Matthew to write: “‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means, ‘God with us.’)” (Matthew 1:23).
That name, Immanuel, holds great significance for you and me.
This Name tells us Christ didn’t come that holy night to say “well done.” He didn’t come to pat us on the back or encourage us for just a time. He came to stay. God came to dwell among us and to reside within us forever.
Sure, God has always been with us, but this truth took on a whole new meaning when Jesus was born. The astounding truth of Christmas is that God put on human flesh and became one of us.
That’s not all. This baby Jesus didn’t come only to walk among us. He came to deliver us and set us right with God. The coming of Jesus meant God the Father had now sent His Son to deliver the world from sin.
What does this mean for you and me? It means no matter the challenge, you are not alone. Whatever your need — deliverance, strength, hope — Immanuel is present. He is not some far-off God. He is right there beside you this very moment.
My days grew brighter as I looked for God’s company amidst my pain. Eventually, I no longer trudged through ordinary days because my extraordinary God met me at my point of need. The secret is this. The more I learned to acknowledge His presence, the more of His presence I experienced. You can, too.
No matter where you are this Christmas Eve, you are not alone.
You may feel alone. It may appear that you are alone. But Christ is there with you. He sees you. He understands. And He can help you.
12 Days of Christmas at KarenEhman.com
This year can be different. You can celebrate Christmas morn with new joy because He — God Himself — has come to be with you. In His magnificent company, though you may be down and out, you are not without. You are not without His love or His all-sufficient strength. You are not without His safety. You are not without His care or provision. And you are not without His presence.
This is the best news of all. Immanuel, God is with us!

To win a copy of Ann Voskamp’s book, “The Greatest Gift, Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas,” Please leave a comment describing a time you felt God’s presence. Or describe a time you saw His provision.

All winners will be announced December 22nd!

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158 Comments

  1. My daughter stopped talking to me a little over 6 years ago-Christmas is hard, as is New Years Eve, her birthday but each year I feel God’s comfort and strength-I’ve needed to draw into Him very closely and he never fails me, never leaves me and always comforts me!

  2. After we miscarried. I felt incredibly bereft until God showed me that our baby was more than okay, even though she wasn’t here for me to see.

  3. I feel his presence every morning when I spend time with him – and my First 5 app. :) Even though sometimes my mind starts to stray, He helps me to focus on His Word and to start my day with a positive attitude.

  4. My husband and I prayed specifically for two things, and it was amazing to see how the Lord answered our prayers. We truly felt His presence during that time.

  5. I felt His presence when my kids wanted to celebrate my brother’s birthday instead of us being sad it was made a happy day. We miss him everyday but knowing my kids know him and have never seen him was amazing.

  6. Beautiful testimony….thank you for sharing. Learning God is always present, I just have to call on His name. Thank you Jesus! Merry Christmas!

  7. I felt God’s presence when we adopted our daughter at age 13 and it was a really really difficult transition. I know God wanted us to adopt and while it wasn’t easy, we felt him guiding us along every step of the way.

  8. I have felt God’s presence the past 1 1/2 years as I have faced a very personal struggle. He has walked by my side on this emotional journey and brought me through some dark days. I could not have come out victorious without Him.

  9. I have felt God in so many big and small ways. Two years ago when my Mom'”s dementia got so bad we couldn’t keep her home God moved in such a miraculous way to guide us to a AMAZING assisted living home. I am forever grateful. Thank you Micca for tenderly sharing your journey and pointing us to Emmanuel, God with us!

  10. Every time I can help someone with a lower rate but more coverage at work. It is crazy how sometimes that small detail can mean so much to people. Also sometimes just buying a coffee or helping someone with a door. Its truly is the little things that happen in the moment that you have to thank God for. He put you there for a reason. With HIs Perfecting timing.

  11. My first granddaughter was born this past March at 27 weeks. She spent 80 days in the NICU and is doing so well! God took great care of mom and baby.

  12. I felt God’s presence when my mother-in-law passed away this year. God put all the right people in place for us to give us help, guidance and support. God does truly provide!

  13. Oh sweet sister I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for this beautiful message.

    God has been present in so many ways. Marriage and parenting are such hard work, but He gives me a peace that is unexplainable. During a recent argument, I prayed before speaking and I felt God’s presence. He kept me from blowing up. I am so thankful that He is always here.

  14. Actually just the other day. My husband and I were “tiffing” and I was at a loss so I cried out to God. Next thing I know out of nowhere (God) he comes in apologizes, wraps his arm around me, admits his errors and starts praying for us. I could feel and know it was God’s presence with us.

  15. My grandmother passed away the first week of December, rather suddenly. We have a large family and she was the matriarch.. She is missed so much but I have felt Gods comfort thru it all and know that he continues to be with us all.

  16. One day, as my husband and I were offered new jobs in a new town, we were shocked and undecided.
    I went for a walk to pray and ask for guidance. I knew, during that walk, God was with me!

  17. It’s always in the little things with me… when I’m low on money and get an unexpected check or when I’m having a bad day & an unexpected pick me up comes along.. I just know it’s Him..

  18. I feel Gods presence during this time of trouble. My husband is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He is wrapping His ar s around me and my two young kids.

  19. I have felt God’s comfort during this season. It is my first Christmas without my Dad. My kids miss their Grandpa so much. We have been lighting candles and making other things in his memory. They picked out a special ornament. We are doing our best to keep his memory alive and making new traditions to celebrate. We do get sad, however we are reassured that he is with Jesus and having a wonderful Christmas.

  20. One year, I was put in bed for two weeks, because the doctor thought I had a blood clot. Someone found out and ended up providing uys with a fabulous Christmas! She sent us everything already wrapped, so all I had to do was opren the box and give them to the right kid! God is so good!

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