Now that we are entering this Christmas season, we are reminded of something even greater—that Jesus Himself is the epitome of standing in the gap. His very birth was Redemption in the Gap, and from the moment He entered the world, He became the bridge between God and man. He was the hope humanity had been waiting for, the One who came to take away the sin of the world. 

 

The familiar hymn, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, echoes that longing so beautifully: 

“O come, O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, 

That mourns in lonely exile here, 

Until the Son of God appear” 

 

Those words capture the heart cry of a people waiting in darkness, longing for peace, light, and for God’s promises to come true. It’s a song that speaks not only to Israel’s longing for freedom, but also to the yearning in every human heart—the ache we feel in that wide gap between the world as it is and the world as it should be.

 

In that longing, we recognize ourselves, because—as Romans 3:23 reminds us—we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. No matter what our story is, we all know what it is like to experience that gap. It might be the gap between pain and healing, fear and faith, or isolation and belonging, but the good news of Christmas is that God had no hesitation in bridging the gap. He came to us. 

 

The beautiful thing about Christ coming to us? He did not come as a ruler or conqueror who was surrounded by legions or armies in comfort and authority. He came as a vulnerable and dependent baby that was placed in a feeding trough for animals. The birth of Christ in Matthew and Luke both tell us that God meets us not in our perfection, but in humility. He entered our world as Emmanuel, God with us, right in the middle of our mess, our need, and our longing.  

 

In a more modern Christmas song, Andrew Peter’s song, “Gather ‘Round, Ye Children Come” from his “Behold the Lamb of God” musical, a wonderful picture of Christ’s coming is drawn as creation has been holding its breath as the Redeemer of the world took His first one.  

 

“Gather ‘round, remember now 

How creation held its breath 

How it let out a sigh 

And filled up the sky with the angels 

Son of God, Son of Man…” 

 

It’s a beautifully powerful reminder of what happened on that quiet night in Bethlehem. The world had been groaning for redemption, and then, through the cries of a baby, hope entered the world, and Peterson continues with the chorus, 

 

“So, sing out with joy for the brave little boy 

Who was God, but He made Himself nothing 

Well, He gave up His pride 

And came here to die like a man…” 

 

It is that humility—that willingness to enter into our suffering—that makes the birth of Jesus so extraordinary. The Son of God bridged the infinite gap between the glory of heaven and our brokenness. But instead of doing so with might, He met us with meekness. Not with distance, but with closeness. He came to die so that we could live. 

 

The truth that Christ has come is something we hold onto dearly here at TRM Ministries. This Christmas season, we are standing in the gap for around 1,000 individuals—from guests staying in our shelters to our unsheltered neighbors throughout the community to the 650 men, women, and children we have adopted through the Christmas Bureau. Behind every number is a name. Every face has a story, and behind every story is a person deeply loved by God. When we provide a meal, a warm bed, a Christmas gift, or even a listening ear, we are not only offering temporary relief—we are sharing the message that Emmanuel has come.  

 

Through each act of love and generosity, we are standing in that sacred space between despair and hope, between isolation and belonging, between survival and authentic life. This is what it means to love in the gap—it is more than meeting physical needs—it is bearing witness to the One who met humanity’s most profound need by coming near. When we serve, we want to reflect His love. When we give, we want to echo His generosity. And when we care for the least of these, we want to mirror His heart. 

 

Christ’s coming still bridges the gap that allows us to access Him, so just as the world waited in hope of His first coming, we, too, live in expectation of His second coming. But until that day, we are called to keep standing in the gap to bring light into darkness, hope into despair, and love into places where it has been forgotten.  

 

As you gather with loved ones this Christmas, take a moment to reflect on the miracle of Emmanuel—God with us. Remember that His presence still bridges the gaps in our lives today. Whether you find yourself in a season of joy or in a time of dread and waiting, His promise remains. You are not alone. He is with you.  

 

Because of Jesus, the gap has been closed. Hope has come near, and redemption is still at work in the hearts of those who believe. May your heart be filled with joy, peace, and the presence of the one who came to bridge the gap for us all.

 

From all of us at TRM Ministries,  

Merry Christmas!