We Are Not Alone

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Recently, I saw part of a TV program that was discussing the possibility of extra-terrestrial life. The program talked about governmental agencies and private organizations that are heavily involved in the search for alien life out there in the cosmos. Using massive radio receivers and telescopes mounted on earth and on space vehicles like the Hubble, the researchers want to answer the question of whether we are alone in the universe.

Shucks, I could have answered that question for them, and for a lot less money than they’re spending! Of course  we are not alone in the universe! But the researchers are looking the wrong direction, because the proof of that life is not to be found in the “heavens,” but here on earth, for it is here that a Being from heaven came down to live among us. That Being is Jesus Christ.

Christmas is the celebration of that life-changing event, when the God of the universe – its Creator and Sustainer – came down to earth to not only live among us, but also to live as one of us. He became us, being born as we are, growing up and living as we do, understanding life’s struggles from both divine and human experience. Then, though he had lived without sin, he became sin for our sake (2 Corinthians 5:21) and took our sins with Him to the cross to save us from the just punishment those sins deserved. His earthly journey to the cross began in the womb and then in a humble stable in Bethlehem.

Sure, there were signs in the heavens that Christ’s birth was special: the shepherds looked up into the night sky and saw first one angel and then a multitude of them; they heard the proclamation that the Savior had just been born, and were convinced enough to go and see the newborn child for themselves. There was also the other celestial sign – the star that led the wise men from the east to the place where the infant Jesus lay. These signs in the heavens were miraculous confirmation that the Savior had been born, but note where both signs directed the attention of the people: back to earth, where the heavenly Being now lived.

For the next 33 years or so, Christ walked among us. He performed miracles, healed many and even raised the dead. He taught about the kingdom of God and proclaimed that it was now here through Him. Then, He died, rose again, and after another 40 days teaching His disciples, returned to heaven. You might think that was it, that now we’re on our own because the One who came down from heaven is no longer with us. If that were the case, we would still be grateful that God had come down, showed us what He is like, and then provided for our forgiveness and eternal life. It would have been enough to struggle through this life on our own, knowing that we will spend eternity with God.

But the good news of Christmas is that God is Emmanuel, which means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23). The kingdom which He established is still here; He didn’t take it away when He ascended to heaven. He is still in His Church “wherever two or three are gathered in (His) name” (Matthew 18:20). Christ has not abandoned us; rather, he is still “God with us.” As He promised before returning to heaven, He will be with us always, even to the end of this age (Matthew 28:20). We can trust He will “never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

We are not alone in this universe, now or ever, because God Himself is with us. He walks beside us through this life and longs to welcome us into the next. He came to earth as the Babe of Bethlehem, lives in us even now through His Holy Spirit, and will come for us some day in the Second Advent to take us to be with Him forever.

When that glorious day comes, even all those who don’t yet believe in Him will know in a powerful moment the truth that their telescopes and radio receivers could not prove: that we are not alone. May all of us who already know that truth celebrate it with joy this Christmas, at the birth of Emmanuel!

May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.Amen.

Read: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 28:16-20