Celebrating Immanuel
The holidays hold an array of memories and emotion for the women in restoration with Exodus Cry. For some, the Christmas season is associated with the acute pain of neglect or violence. While for others it was the only time of year where some vestige of positive memory can be traced.
A sense of home and belonging is immensely important on Christmas. The deepest wounds surrounding this season are connected to family relationships and abuses. Therefore, the greatest healing comes through God’s covenantal love and spirit of adoption made flesh through earthly families receiving His daughters as their own. To be joyously accepted by a Godly family, given an identity as cherished daughter, valued and enjoyed for one’s unique personhood, and shown unconditional love is a wonder that works miracles for all of us – especially for those who have never experienced this accurate reflection of the Father’s heart.
At the heart of Christmas is celebrating Immanuel – God With Us. Surely Jesus is, has been, and will be with each one who has suffered the anguish of a broken family. Jesus put on flesh and came into a natural family as a vulnerable baby. He experienced our pains and our joys. He lived a sinless life and took the full extent of sin for all time upon Himself that we may be brought into His family forever. What a glorious value statement and promise from God on being with us and on becoming part of a whole family with Him.
During these next weeks, please keep our girls in prayer specifically through the following requests.
- May they experience God’s shalom and joy deep in their hearts, knowing they are beloved daughters.
- Pray that the Lord brings redemption on this season and opportunity for new memories during the holidays.
- May our girls be surrounded by covenantal friends and spiritual family members who overflow with unconditional love and support.
- Pray for God to raise up more families who would open their hearts and homes to adopt, both in the spiritual and the natural.
