Come Let Us Worship, Day 8, December 8

The recent and seemingly never ending debate about Christmas is, just what do you call it?Facebook memes and discussion revolves around “Merry Christmas” and/or “Happy Holidays”.   The essential message of Christmas, although cumbersome to put on a store window, is simply this: “Immanuel, God with us!” Thus we read: Matthew 1:22–23 (ESV)

²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Perhaps an alternative greeting could be, “May God be with you”?    Immanuel (Hebrew: עִמָּנוּאֵל meaning, "God with us"; also Romanised Emmanuel, Imanu'el) is a Hebrew name which appears in the prophecy of Isaiah.  The ungodly King of Israel brought God’s discipline upon the nation in that God ordained the oppression of Syria.  The promise of a child born of a virgin, named Immanuel was a sign of promise. King Ahaz had put his hope in human resources, but God called him and the nation to trust God himself.  The birth of this child was a sign confirming the promises of God., particularly to preserve and protect Israel.

From the beginning of time, the greatest blessing was the dwelling of God with His people.  The famous Aaronic blessing articulates that in profound fashion.

““Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”” (Numbers 6:23–27, ESV)

It was the hope of Israel that God would dwell with His people (see Isaiah 60:18-20. Ezekiel 48:35, Revelation 21:23, etc.). Of course the Apostle John reminds us of this reality when he writes:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, ESV)

“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:18, ESV)

Further promises in Scripture remind us that as Christians are busy proclaiming the Gospel, God is with them (Matthew 28:20) and in fact the future of the New Heaven and New Earth is a future of God dwelling with His people.

So …. May God be with you!!!

Father, as we consider these words we are so aware that in Christ and by your Spirit you are with us.  Even in your exaltation you have not left us orphans but through the Comforter, you are as real, as real can be.  We trust not in feelings or fantasy.  We trust in your promises to never leave nor forsake us.  May others know of this mercy through faith in your Son, Immanuel.