Advent is a joyful time of year. The piles of gifts begin to accumulate under the tree. The smell of fresh baked cookies wafts through the house. Greeting cards arrive with news of old friends.
Have you ever had a dear friend drop out of touch? There was a time when you talked almost every day and shared laughter and tears. But suddenly they moved away. Or you took a new job and you lost contact. Friendships ebb and flow. Is “Immanuel – God With Us” like that? Does He only show up in a time of crisis or, worse, does He disappear when you most need Him?
As Jesus prepared to leave this world, His disciples felt fearful and anxious. “Where are you going?” they asked. But Jesus assured them that He would not leave them alone. In John 14:16, Jesus replied, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.”
Jesus is sitting beside your bed when you wake up in the morning. He delights in hearing you say grace at meals. And He listens when you say, “Now I lay me down to sleep…” But He wants to be at your side every moment of your day. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.
As you pick up your mail today and read messages from old friends, don’t forget to acknowledge the presence of the one Friend who will never, never, ever leave you.
