“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14, ESV.
2000+ years ago, a woman gave birth to a baby boy. A common occurrence, but what was not common was His identity: Immanuel, God with us. How important was that?
When humanity sinned, we fell. No longer were we perfect. No longer could we have a right relationship with God. Instead, we were sin-filled, evil. God is perfect and cannot be around sin. For someone to enter His presence as sinful would mean their being consumed in His holiness. We needed rescue, because in allowing sin and death to enter, we were destined to Hell, forever tormented and apart from God.
Immanuel – which means God with us (Matt 1:23) – came and lived here among us. He experienced a life like ours yet didn’t sin. Then He went to the cross to bear the punishment for all of humanity’s sin. How amazing! When you realize the steps God took to save us from our sin that has enslaved us, it’s no wonder the angels sang that night! God’s great plan to save the world and restore what had been broken was realized. The Messiah, the One to save us all, was here! No wonder the shepherds were so excited! Glory to God yes, and on earth peace like that which we hadn’t known since the garden, for Jesus had come to save us. No wonder the wise men travelled – reaching Jesus as much as two years later – from afar to see this One.
Today I was playing the hymn “What Child is This.” The last verse goes, “So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him.” The last words struck me: “The King of Kings salvation brings…” the advent of Jesus’ birth meant the coming of the Word – the Living God made flesh with the express purpose to glorify His Father and make the way of salvation. What is our response? “Let loving hearts enthrone Him.” Is Jesus King in your heart? I hope so, but if not, maybe this Christmas you will let God help you look past the lights and the busy and the shopping and the food. Look with faith to the manger 2000+ years ago. In this Mary laid the hope of the world, who really is God in the flesh, Immanuel, our hope. This Christmas I pray that you will take time to look past everything to the moment in Bethlehem, where Jesus is waiting. Take time to reflect on that together as a family. Teach your kids or grandkids and remind them of the world changing night when Immanuel came; God with us.
May you and your family have a Merry Christmas and experience the joy of celebrating not just a holiday, but the birth of the One who has given us hope everlasting – Jesus Christ.