One of the realities we face as people living in a fallen world is that tragedy and sadness surround us. This seems especially true each Christmas, as we reflect on the many acts of violence that marked the past year—acts that reveal deep truths about our culture and the spiritual condition of our nation. No sooner does one tragedy fade than another begins. We open our phones to check the news and are bombarded with story after story: shootings, kidnappings, robberies, or arrests for heinous crimes. It’s gut-wrenching to realize that people have lost loved ones during what should be a joyous holiday season—all because of the wicked acts of wicked men.

Yet the sad reality is that our world is not so different from the one into which Jesus was born. In Matthew’s Gospel, we read of a wicked ruler, Herod, who ordered the death of all male children two years old and under in and around Bethlehem (Matthew 2). He committed this atrocity out of fear of losing power, driven by his own ego and pride.

The world Jesus entered was, in many ways, far more brutal than our own. Slavery was legal, and millions were treated as little better than cattle. Women were often regarded as property. Sexual immorality was prevalent. Idolatrous worship was widespread, and religious persecution was common.

In the midst of all this evil and chaos, God made a promise—and fulfilled it at Christmas. The Gospel tells us that Jesus’ birth fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,  and they shall call his name Immanuel” 

(Matthew 1:23; cf. Isaiah 7:14).

Matthew explains that “Immanuel” means God with us. Jesus entered a world filled with evil, violence, and hate as Immanuel—the fullness of deity in bodily form, tabernacling among us (Colossians 2:9; John 1:14).

The promise of Christmas is this: no matter what happens in our world or what befalls us personally, God is with us when we trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. He is with us to save, deliver, rescue, comfort, strengthen, care for, give peace, carry, and sustain us. In a world filled with darkness and pain, Christmas shines as a bright light, reminding us that in Christ, God is with us—and God is for us.

This truth may not always feel true. From a human perspective, God’s presence with His children is not always obvious, especially when evil forces threaten to overwhelm us and our families on a daily—if not hourly—basis. Yet God’s promise stands firm. If we know the Father through faith in His Son—trusting in Christ’s death and resurrection and believing His promise to forgive our sins—then God is truly with us.

Jesus came into our broken world as Immanuel, God with us. Our world remains dark, broken, and sinful. But our God has not changed. He is still with us in His Son.

May this promise bring you comfort, peace, and joy this Christmas—and throughout the new year.