There is a fascinating phrase to describe the presence of God in the Garden of Eden just after Adam and Eve’s fall: And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden (Gen. 3:8). 

I’m not sure what that sound was like or what their relationship was like with God, but I think we can agree that a certain level of connection between Creator and creation was broken in the fall.

And at Christmastime, we sing and proclaim the name of God as Emmanuel, “God with us.”   God is and always has been Emmanuel; it did not start with Christ’s birth, but I think Jesus as a baby created a new way for God to be with us.  Our Savior is not a far off power; he loved, lost, listened, obeyed, and was betrayed.  Our experience is not foreign to Him. 

Jesus said in John 15:26 that we will always have God, Emmanuel with us. I like the amplified version for a more clear understanding:  “But when the  Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, He will testify and bear witness about Me.

There was a change when Christ came; he grew up, talked, taught, loved, and ministered in a tangible way to many people.  He does the same today, through our interaction and relationship with the Holy Spirit.  Because of Christ at Christmas and his life, death, and resurrection– we who put faith in Christ and believe upon his name have our Emmanuel every day, all night, and forever.