With a global student body, we at Alpha Omega Academy® have an incredible privilege to mark our Lord's incarnation with fellow Christians all over the world. At the same time, the Christmas experiences and traditions of our students are quite different.

For some of our distance learning students and their families, Christmas is a winter holiday; yet, for others it occurs in summer. Some celebrate Christmas in large churches with seasonal decorations, outdoor manger scenes, and music emanating from speakers hidden in bell towers. Meanwhile, others observe Christmas privately, if not secretly, because anything Christian must be treated with utmost discretion where they live.

Our AOA student body and their families share other things as well that are common to people all over the world. Some enjoy the glow of achievement, goals met, graduation, and open doors to employment or further education. Some report immense growth from rich experiences in Christian mission or service programs. On the other hand, others endure disruption and loss from tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Some bear the effects of financial reversals through lost jobs and lost homes. While some welcome new family members through births and adoptions, others struggle to adjust to the loss of a beloved family member. No doubt, each of us could go on with our own list of both joyous experiences and those that are unpleasant or deeply grievous.

I mention these things to remind us that Christmas is the Heavenly Father's gift to all of His children in the throes of human experience. In referring to the immaculate conception of Jesus, Matthew 1:22-23 says, "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." This is the heart of Christmas. God came into the world in Jesus, born of Mary. God came to Earth "to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 2:17c), and because He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15b), we have a God who sympathizes with our weaknesses.

Whatever our locale on the globe or our circumstances this Christmas, let us celebrate Emmanuel, for God is indeed now with us! Emmanuel has come. He has entered our world and humanity to redeem us with His loving presence, His perfect understanding, and His unequivocal vow: "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20b).