’Tis the season for gatherings with family and friends. As we talk with one another, most of us instinctively look for common ground, a shared experience that makes someone say, “Yes! I’ve been there!” And suddenly, there’s connection.

Connection is something we human beings crave. God designed the concept (Genesis 2:18). Much later, Abraham Maslow popularized it in psychological literature (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs). Maybe that’s why Christmas is so moving. We celebrate connection. Immanuel, God with us! Immanuel is how God creates connection with us and meets our deepest needs.

We humans were perfectly connected to our Creator God in the beginning. We were made in his image! Holiness was our shared experience. When sin entered the world, everything changed. Sweat, sorrow, thorns, temptation—these became part of our daily lives. And sin did what sin always does: it destroyed connections. Our bond with God shattered. Our relationships with one another fractured.

Because of his great love for you and me, God the Father wanted to restore the broken connection. He sent his Son Jesus into our world to take on flesh and live among us. Sometimes I wonder why Jesus would leave heaven’s perfection for this world. Wasn’t there a better, simpler way to restore God’s creation?

And then I remember, it’s about connection—God to us and us to God.

“The Word became flesh.”

God came to us in Jesus to share our human experience:

You’ve been tempted? So was I.
You’ve felt alone? I’ve been there.
You’ve been betrayed? I hear you, Sister.

Yes, he was “tempted in every way, just as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). With one profound difference: “He did not sin.”

That one difference reconnected us to God. Even though Jesus was sinless, he willingly carried our sins and took the punishment we deserved. He gave up his glory as he suffered the disconnect with his Father on the cross. But he shone with glory as he rose victorious, ensuring that nothing—not even death—can separate you and me from our God.

God with us means us with God once again.

Connected and confident

Sin will continue to pull apart the connections we treasure, like our relationships with spouses, children, friends, and fellow believers. When that pain weighs heavily, dear Sister, take comfort in Immanuel. Jesus understands. And because of him, we can approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). We are no longer strangers searching for common ground. We have a Savior who chose to be with us and continues to advocate for us.

If a lost or broken connection weighs on your heart this Christmas, you may pray with confidence:

Jesus, would you bring this to God the Father for me?

He answers, “Yes, dear Sister. Anything for you.”

Instant connection and peace.

All because “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us”—a reason to celebrate this Christmas.