Christmas ~ Part III – Immanuel
Perhaps the most beautiful, hopeful message of Christmas is that God Himself is with us. Ours is not a far-off, distant God, but One who intimately knows us, acquainted with all our ways the Bible says, and One who is forever with us.
Immanuel was one of the names given to the Christ child, and prophesied by Isaiah seven hundred years before. It literally means ‘God with us.’
Immanuel, JESUS, God with us.
What does the knowledge of God being with us mean for you this Christmas? Maybe you are facing something very difficult at the moment to do with your health or your marriage, or maybe it is something affecting a loved one or your finances. Maybe you feel fear about the future.
Whatever circumstances you find yourself in at this time, may this Christmas fill you with the hope and peace that God sees, and that He is with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you, He says. Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age.
As He was born and became man all those years ago, may we let this knowledge of His constancy and faithfulness and companionship; that He is with us, be birthed in our hearts again this Christmas.
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord, Immanuel.
