That is the great mystery of Christ: We have a God who is not just in heaven, but “Immanuel, God with us . . . always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 1:23; 28:20).

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4).

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 20:19).

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10).

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5).

"For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations" (Psalm 100:5).

“Him [Christ] we preach [proclaim], warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect [mature, complete] in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28).

“In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Two things are true as we reflect on this past year. The first is that “you have shown Your people hard things” (Psalm 60:3) And the second truth is that the Lord has declared, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).