December 26, 2025 

In Matthew 2:13–15, the angel warns Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s rage. Even in this sudden flight, God Still With Us remains true. Immanuel’s story continues not in peace but in danger. Yet through every step, God’s presence goes ahead of them—proving that the promise of “God with us” doesn’t fade once the songs stop and the crowds go home.

Devotional:

The time after the manger must have felt so different. The angels were gone. The shepherds had returned to their flocks. The city was quiet again. But Joseph’s sleep was soon interrupted by another divine message: danger was near. Herod’s jealousy had been ignited, and the family had to flee.

It’s a sobering turn in the Christmas story. One moment, the sky is filled with music; the next, they are running through the dark toward Egypt. Yet this moment reveals a truth that sustains every believer: God Still With Us.

Immanuel didn’t just appear for one holy night—He came to stay. God’s presence was not confined to the stable; it traveled into exile, carried through fear and fatigue. Even as Mary and Joseph stepped into uncertainty, the same God who sent angels to announce His birth now guarded their journey through the wilderness.

This is where Christmas becomes real for us. The glow of candlelight fades, the wrapping paper is gone, and the house feels a little too quiet. But God’s presence doesn’t pack up with the decorations. He is still here—still with us in the middle of confusion, worry, or the heaviness that can settle after the celebration.

Matthew’s gospel reminds us that the story of Jesus has always included risk and movement. God’s presence doesn’t promise comfort; it promises companionship. He doesn’t promise ease; He promises endurance. The same hands that shaped the stars now hold our trembling moments steady.

We often imagine divine guidance as clarity, but for Joseph, it was trust. No map, just faith. And that’s often how God leads us, too, step by step, promise by promise, grace by grace.

So as the quiet of December 26 settles in, remember: Immanuel is still Immanuel. He’s not done with your story. He’s walking with you into the year ahead, even if the path is unfamiliar. The same God who spoke in dreams and directed a carpenter’s footsteps is still whispering peace over you tonight.

Action:

Take a walk this evening and whisper, “God, You are still with me.” Let the rhythm of your steps become a prayer of trust.

Prayer:

Faithful God, thank You that Your presence doesn’t end when the celebration fades. Stay near as life continues in its ordinary rhythms. Lead me as You led Joseph—with quiet confidence and steady grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Thought for the Day:

Christmas ends, but Immanuel remains. God is still with us.

The story didn’t end in the manger. After the angels stopped singing, God was still with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they fled into the unknown. God Still With Us means the miracle of presence continues. He is with us not only in joy but also in the journey beyond it—guiding, protecting, and redeeming each step.