“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, ‘God with us.'” – Matthew 1:23

Officially, the Christmas season started on Friday, November 24. Congratulations!

We shall devote the next three weeks to pondering on the eternal and powerful message of Christmas.

We kick it off today by reflecting on the name ‘Emmanuel,’ which was first mentioned in Isaiah 7:14 and fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ hundreds of years later.

In reference to Christ, the name implied that God through His Son, came to live among us.

‘Emmanuel,’ derived from the Hebrew word ‘Immanuel,’ therefore refers to God dwelling with mankind in physical form. 

It is a mystery, isn’t it, and it takes revelation to fathom it.

And that’s what makes the most important difference between Christianity and other religions.

In the Old Testament, several symbols represented the presence of God among His people.

For example, the ‘tabernacle’ and the accompanying Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies, signified God taking His dwelling place among His people.

Additionally, God’s presence among His people was made evident in a pillar of the cloud and a pillar of fire.

The cloud and pillar were a symbol of God’s Providence, of His protection, and of His guidance.

With the cloud and pillar of fire above them during the day and night, the people could confidently march into the unknown and face any foe without fear.

Furthermore, God’s presence was also symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, so much that the people would match with it to the front line and expect to win every battle.

For thousands of years, the people anticipated and waited for the coming of Christ, the Messiah, who would come in the Name of the LORD to save His people by becoming the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.

But apart from these symbols, people were also aware of God’s spiritual presence with them.

For example, it is repeatedly stated that the explanation for Joseph’s favour and success was because “the Lord was with him” (see Genesis 39:2, 21, 23).

In a candid conversation with Moses (see Exodus 33), God told Moses that He would not go with the Israelites but would instead send an angel to lead them into the Promised Land.

On hearing that “bad news,” the Bible says the people mourned greatly.  

However after listening to Moses’ pleas, God relented and said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (33:14).                                                                                                                

Moses insisted, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us?

“So we shall be separate (different), Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth” (verses 15-16).

Only the presence of God differentiates God’s people and God’s servants from the other pretenders that expect their god to appear in the future.

“Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, spoke the LORD’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the LORD” (Haggai 1:13).

However, for many centuries, the people waited for the coming of Christ, the Messiah, who would come in the Name of the LORD to save His people by becoming the perfect sacrifice for their sins.

Jesus Christ, the eternal ‘Emmanuel, didn’t just come and go back to heaven.

He says, “Lo, I AM with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

We are not our own; Immanuel is with us, always. Amen.

Prayer:

Eternal God, thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to save the world. Help me to know Him better and to make Him known during this season. For the glory of Your Name, Amen!