Immanuel - God with Us

"Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
I hear these words and instantly I am picturing Christmas.....joy, peace, happiness, family, love, compassion. Jesus was the fulfillment of this prophecy to Isaiah. Jesus was and is Immanuel, God with us. I know it is the middle of September and Christmas is still 3 and 1/2 months away, but I think we should act like it is Christmas today and throughout the year.
We celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ because God told the world that He would send His Son as a baby born to a virgin so not to be born with the sins of Adam. Jesus is the long awaited answer to a long ago prophecy, and He was called Immanuel. God was now with us on earth, and we shouldn't just celebrate it at Christmas but always. We should have the joy of Christmas and the peace that surrounds it at all times throughout the year. Christ birth wasn't to be celebrated just as a Milestone Birthday, but as the fact that "God was now with us".
2 and 1/2 years ago Brett and I went to Tampa for a one night getaway. The 3 kids we had had worn us down and we needed some time alone. As soon as we got to the hotel I blacked out. Immediately we knew something was wrong, and we had this huge feeling we knew what it was. (The only time I ever blackout is when I'm pregnant.) I was devastated. Yes, I said it, devastated. I questioned God! I asked Him, why? How would Brett and I afford another a child? How was I going to be able to love another? How would I take care of another? Where would we put the baby? We didn't have anymore room. What was He thinking? Let's just say I went through a very quiet time with God. I felt like I couldn't hear Him speak; I thought I was all alone. How was I going to be able to tell anyone I was pregnant when I didn't want to be pregnant in the first place. 3 months past and still nothing, no comfort, no guidance, no words, nothing from God. Wasn't He supposed to be with me? HE WAS! I just had blinders on my eyes and ear plugs in my ears. I wasn't getting down on my hands and knees, face to the floor, and talking with Him. I wasn't doing my part, but He was doing His. I began to pray; constantly and fervently. He calmed my nerves and gave me peace; He walked me through the process and filled me with JOY. He revealed to me that He had given me another BLESSING, a new child, a baby boy. I went from destraught to Christmas Joy; God was always with me, and He gave me the reminder with Hayden Emmanuel.
Make every day, month, and season like Christmas. Fill your home with peace and joy, and remember...."The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us".Matthew 1:23. Not for one day, but always.