Christmas Eve is always special for me. A manger is placed in church, and the children gather around to worship the Christ-Child. They sit in awe and wonder at this tiny Babe, who would save the world. The smaller ones play with the straw, and others stroke the cheek of the infant. In that moment, I feel pain. There is no infant for me to cradle. There is no tiny finger to grasp around my own.

However, there is still joy for me. I do have a child within me; He is Christ the Savior. At my baptism, I was made a child of God. All of my sins of thought, word, and deed were cleansed and removed. Yes, I am still sin-sick, but I have the forgiveness of sins, too.

There are times that I don’t “feel” Christ in me. That is my sinful nature at work. However, I will still confidently confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior, despite my fears and doubts.

Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” He is with us always. How blessed we are to know that the Christ-Child of the manger is the same Christ, who would sacrifice His own life on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. Jesus Christ is the Child for me and within me.