Embracing Emmanuel

A Devotional for the Christmas Season

Slow down this Christmas season and rediscover the wonder of Emmanuel, “God with us.”

Amid the hustle and hurry of the holidays, Embracing Emmanuel invites you to make space for what matters most—encountering the presence of Jesus, God with us—this Christmas and beyond. Through the stories, Scriptures, and people surrounding the first Christmas, this devotional gently draws you into the awe and intimacy of God coming to dwell with us.

Spanning the entire sacred season of Advent through Epiphany (January 6), each daily devotion includes:

• Scripture-based reflections that draw you deeper into the wonder of “God with us.”
• Reflection questions to help you connect personally with God and His presence.
• Scripture-based prayers and a recommended song to guide your heart in worship and response.

Embracing Emmanuel will help you prepare Him room—not only at Christmas, but in the days and months beyond. Encounter afresh the God who stepped into our world, and draw near to Emmanuel with wonder, worship, and a heart ready to receive Him.

About the Author

Jenn Soehnlin is a wife, mother of two boys, and writer of hope-filled words about faith, praying Scripture, and navigating special needs parenting. She is the author of Embracing This Special Life, On the Same Page with God, and Embracing Emmanuel.

Testimonials

In a season that often rushes past in a blur of busyness, this devotional offers a gentle pause and a sacred invitation. Jenn Soehnlin guides readers from Advent to Epiphany with Scripture-rich reflections that draw the heart to the true wonder of Christmas—Emmanuel, God with us.
Rachael Adams, author of Everyday Prayers for Love and A Little Goes a Long Way; host of The Love Offering Podcast

Jenn Soehnlin has written an insightful and fresh look at the events of Jesus’ advent. She uses a poignant blend of biblical text and personal testimony to bring the details of Christ’s coming into twenty-first century life. The result is a tender and reverent read for your holiday worship.
Lori Hatcher, Our Daily Bread author of Lord, I Believe: 60 Devotions for Your Troubled Heart

At the intersection of suffering and wrestling with God’s plan, Jenn’s message in Embracing Emmanuel rises like a gentle invitation—urging us to cling to God and His unchanging goodness. With “embrace” as the guiding theme, Jenn helps readers see the Christmas story—and their own stories—with fresh eyes. Each day provides space to pause, ponder, and worship amid the bustle of the season. This is more than a devotional for Advent; it’s an invitation to embrace the whole of life—both the hard and the holy—with the hope of Christ.
Denise Pass, PhD Bible Exposition, award-winning author of Make Up Your Mind and Shame Off You; international speaker, and founder of Seeing Deep Ministries

This Advent devotional is a heartfelt invitation to encounter Emmanuel in a fresh and life-changing way. Jenn’s willingness to share personal stories—both tender and vulnerable—beautifully models how the living Word of God meets us in our real struggles and joys. Each page weaves Scripture with relatable reflections, drawing readers closer to the hope and wonder of the Advent season. I wholeheartedly encourage you to explore these devotions and let Jenn’s honest, faith-filled storytelling point you to the beauty of Christ’s coming.
Todd Peters, pastor and retired Navy SEAL; host of The Warrior’s Walk podcast

Embracing Emmanuel allows readers to marinate in the beautiful truth that God is with us. Jenn’s writing draws us in as we see the perspectives of different characters of the Christmas story and then look for His presence in our daily lives. This is a book that will deeply enrich your Christmas experience.
Erin Ulerich, author of In Unexpected Ways: Christmas in Everyday Life