Photo Credit: Melinda Prince

She left home pregnant and almost full-term, traveled about 40 miles by foot, and gave birth in a stable. It was really more like a stone cave than a wooden shack, but it was still messy and smelly and far from the pristine clean perspective we see on Christmas cards.

Nothing was as she imagined, no friends or family and isolated from those she loved at one of the most special times of life, the birth of her first-born child.

Yet one thing Mary knew was Immanuel — God was with her. He saw her. He saw who she was and where she was. This knowledge of Immanuel helped her to endure and do life different. The Bethlehem Star rose high in the sky marking the fulfillment of God’s promise. Hope had come into the world and rested in Mary’s heart.

As we conclude this month and reflect on 2020, let us remember the “Bethlehem Star” that appeared recently in the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. If there was any year we needed to see the star, it was this one.

Life is still messy, but Hope is still present.

Immanuel.

We have been separated from those we love at this special time of year, but God is near.

Immanuel.

We feel unseen, but God sees us.

Immanuel.

And we are tired, but we have been given the Power to endure.

Immanuel.

We, too, can do life different, because Immanuel—God is with us.

As we decorated our tree for Christmas, I realized there are many things that are the same this year. First, Mike put on the lights, as he always does. Next, I carefully placed the paper chain we have been using for 41 years, reminding us of our first Christmas, followed by the tinsel, also purchased that year. Then we hung TONS of ornaments, some dating back to childhood, others gifts from special friends, and then our favorites, the ones created with photos of our children, and finally, the star.



While spending several hours on the tree, I also realized there would be many things this Christmas that would be different. There would be no extended family Christmas party at my sister's. No cookie exchange with women from the neighborhood. No Christmas Eve singing with our daughter and her family, and no quiet dinners at home with friends.

Not only are we not going out to see others, others won’t be coming in to see us. It could be quite easy to feel unseen this Christmas.

Yet, as I reflect on the first chapter of Luke this Advent Season, if there is any one message that is conveyed through the lives of Elizabeth and Mary, it’s that we are not unseen; we are seen. God sees us. He sees us for who we are and who we are yet to be.

And the way God sees us is so different from that of the world.

The world looked upon barren Elizabeth with disgrace, yet God looked upon her with love. He saw her righteousness, her faithfulness and her obedience. When we realize God sees us in our place, we discover our true significance.



The world looked at Elizabeth’s relative, Mary, as young and ordinary, yet God saw her and called her blessed among women. Before He even came to her, He saw her potential to believe in the fulfillment of what would be spoken to her. When we realize God sees us in our potential, we understand that nothing is impossible for Him if only we believe and step out in faith, as Mary did. 

Perhaps a reminder to us this Advent Season is God sees us. But let’s not stop there. Not only did God see these women, He looked upon them with favor and entered their lives to bring about change. Not change to their surroundings, but internal, intimate change in their lives.

As we continue to prepare for Christmas, let us remember that God wants to do the same with each of us. God looks upon each of His children with favor and enters our lives to bring about change. That first Christmas was all about change. The change God was making in the lives of two women and soon the world.

God sees you in your place, and God sees you in your potential. He sees your successes and your struggles. He sees your joys and your sorrows. He sees your faith and your fears. He sees who you are and who you are yet to be, but not from a distance. He is right there with you. With us.



So, this Christmas, as we treasure the memories that hang on our trees and reflect on Christmas traditions past, may we remember that although this Christmas will be different, we can rest in His love, comforted that God sees us.