Santa with us

Some of the houses in our city are decorated for Christmas. Many more feature Santa than Jesus. There are more jolly Santas than baby Jesuses. And more Santas on chimneys than Jesuses in nativity scenes. Christmas is when Christians remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Matthew wrote that one of His names is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Mt. 1:22). But is seems that people think that “Santa with us” is more important than “God with us”.

Here’s the words of a song by Bob Bennett titled “God with us”.

Make wide the way and straight the path
God with us
He comes in mercy, not in wrath
God with us

Behold an ancient mystery
God stepping into history
Hail the incarnate deity
God with us

Good will to men and peace on earth
God with us
He comes to us by humble birth
God with us

Clothed alike in flesh and bone
He comes to make His Father known
His Spirit says we’re not alone
God with us

God with us
Because we fell
Yeshua Hamashiach
[Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”]
Emmanuel
[Hebrew for “God with us”]
God with us
It was always meant to be
God with us
With you, with me

Innocent as a newborn child
God with us
The souls of sinners reconciled
God with us

From Bethlehem to Calvary
Come to set the captives free
That every grave might empty be
God with us

God with us
What a story to tell
Jesus Christ
Our Emmanuel
The lame will dance
The blind will see
God with us
With you, with me

Not by merit do we proclaim
He is fully God and fully man
Blessed be His Name
For the Eternal One
Has surely kept His vow
To be God with us
Here and now

So light the lights and trim the tree
God with us
A holiday with a mongrel pedigree
God with us

But at the heart of why we’re here
The morning after midnight clear
Reverence replaces fear
God with us

God with us
Our hearts compel
Our worship of the Living God
Emmanuel
May His Spirit give
Open eyes to see
God with us
With you, with me

God with us!

Although “Santa with us” is prevalent, let’s remember that since the birth of Jesus Christ God has been with us. But are we with Him? His constant presence is available to all who accept His gift of eternal (spiritual) life available through Jesus.

Acknowledgement

The song, “God with us“, was written by Bob Bennett
© 2009 Bright Avenue Songs (ASCAP)

Written, December 2018