“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him “Immanuel” which means, “God with us.” ~ Matthew 1:23

This name, Immanuel, is written three times in the Word of God. Twice by the prophet Isaiah (7:14 & 8:8) and Matthew uses it once as he quotes the prophet. Immanuel, which means “God with us,” is also described by the apostle John when he wrote, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” (John 1:14 NIV) It is almost inconceivable to think that the God of heaven would indeed live among us in human form. In his book 100 Portraits of Christ, Henry Gariepy states, “The miracle and the marvel of Immanuel-God with us-defies description. The hands of God that had tumbled solar systems into space became the small chubby hands of an Infant. The feet of God that had roamed through fiery planets became the infant feet of a Baby. Jesus was the heart of God wrapped in human flesh. He was God in the garb of humanity.” 

How awesome that God would come to earth as a Baby. He was born, not in a palace, but in a cattle barn. A feeding trough was His cradle. He was born, not of royalty, but of humble and poor parents. The birth of Jesus Christ was the event of the ages. No other event in history has ever had nor will have as much impact on the world as the birth of Christ. In Him lies the destiny of mankind. 

Joni Eareckson Tada shares her sense of awe as a high school student in singing of His birth: “When I was in high school back in the late ‘60s, I was a part of our high school choir and I remember singing Handel’s, Messiah, for one of our Christmas programs. I can still recall so vividly the deep joy I felt in singing that beautiful chorus, ‘For unto us a Child is born.’ I was just a kid, but tears really came to my eyes as we sang.” 

After Jesus had upset His apostles by telling them He was going to be leaving them, (referring to His crucifixion) He then reassures them that He will be present with them at a later time. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. . . .” It is a reassuring thought that Christ Jesus is still Immanuel today. He is still, “God with us,” as He promised. When we put our trust in Him as Lord and Savior, then God takes up residence within us in the Person the Holy Spirit. As believers in Christ Jesus He is always with us. “Never will l leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) 

Merry Christmas Everyone!