Testimonies

The Solid Rock Emmanuel

by Shannon Hullet
12/23/25
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At this time of year, somewhere in the midst of all the Christmas busyness and tradition, it hits me. A day, nearly three decades ago, filled with sorrow and pain like none I had felt before. Shattered in the pit of rock bottom, foundations I once thought solid and true seemed to tip and sway in the throws of intense grief. But then, in that very moment, a hand caught me, refusing to let go.

“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31 CSB)

With His hand holding tight to mine, my feet stood on solid ground again. I didn’t realize that yet. In the storm of grief, nothing felt solid as the waves crashed over me again and again. And yet, Jesus, the immovable rock, anchored me.

Over the next several years, as the storm eased and healing began, I started to understand. The foundation I stood on in the past had not been my own, nor was it meant to be a permanent dwelling. It had been truth lovingly placed over time by parents and grandparents, a temporary stepping stone preparing me for the time and decision to come. When the raging storm had picked me up off that platform, it was not intended for harm but rather graciously allowed so that Jesus could lift me up onto His solid foundation, to the place that was my very own. Nothing could ever again shake me from that home. My relationship with Jesus became my own.

“I will not wash away in the flood. I will not collapse into the river. When everything else moves, I stay solidly in place.” During the recent aftermath of local flooding, these were the words spoken to me by the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Triune God alongside Jesus and God the Father. In the years and events that have passed since that poignant Christmas long ago, I have learned that these words are true. Jesus is my solid foundation.

It hits me each year as Christmas nears–a profound awe and gratefulness that Jesus reached down and rescued me. This year, that wonder and thankfulness came on Sunday–the day before the twenty-ninth anniversary of my dog Jessie’s death. I sat between my two teenagers, the oldest not much younger than I had been twenty-nine years ago.  We were practicing music with our church’s worship team for later that morning. As my friend began to sing O Come O Come Emmanuel, I saw again my own story reflected in the words.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

Emmanuel. “God With Us.” Jesus. He came to me in the midst of lonely mourning, reaching down into the pit to pull me out of the shadow of death. As He dispersed the clouds of grief, I found that I stood on His solid rock.

“He brought me up from a desolate [or watery] pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.” (Psalm 40:2 CSB)

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9b CSB)

Rejoice! Rejoice! There is no greater joy than to be rescued by Jesus. There is no greater security and peace than knowing that Jesus–Emmanuel, God With Us–will never let me go.