This past week my family and I were reading our Christmas advent, and the activity for the night was to discuss what you loved most about Christmas. When it was my turn to share, the first thing that came to my heart was the fact that Christmas meant God came to be with us. In fact, the very meaning of Emmanuel, which we hear all Christmas long is "God with Us"!

The reason Emmanuel is the thing I love most about Christmas is because the presence of God is most valuable thing to me. Since I was about five years old I knew and understood God loved me unconditionally, not because my parents taught me or we sang about it in church, but because I experienced the presence of God at a very young age. God's presence has been the thing that has comforted me most during the lowest points of my life, and it has brought peace that passes all understanding in every season.

Every time we hear the Christmas story, every song we sing about Jesus, and every time we are reminded about the reason for the season, something in our hearts feels at home. This feeling of "home" is the very presence of God! We were created to be in fellowship with our creator, and Jesus coming to earth made that possible.

God's presence is the comfort, peace, and joy we all long for, and the best news of all is that we can experience it all year long! God sent His son Jesus to dwell with us, so that He could dwell in our hearts forever! It's why we sing, "Let every heart prepare Him room!" The closer we choose to draw to Him, the more we will experience the peace that His presence brings, and that my friends is the greatest gift of all!