God with us

What does the phrase, “Emmanuel, God with us” mean to us?

During this time of year, we hear phrases like this so many times that it soon becomes like a nursery rhyme, a low droning in the background as we go about our Christmas holiday preparations. We sing about it, we celebrate it, but do we actually know what this means to us…and for us?

Was it simply that a man named Jesus was born in a stable in a small village in the Middle East? And even for those of us who believe it means He came to save us, does that mean that He came 2000 years ago, lived among us, died, was raised up and then left us again?

In other words…

…does this mean God was with us…and someday He’ll be with us once again?

Of course, this declaration was a fulfillment of a Messianic prophecy of Isaiah. Matthew gives us divine commentary on its fulfillment.

“All this took place that it might be fulfilled
which the Lord had spoken through the prophet,
Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant
and give birth to a Son,
and they shall call His name Emmanuel—
which, when translated, means, God with us.” (Matt.1:22-23 AMP)

I think we all realize that in order to believe that Jesus fulfilled this prophecy means that something miraculous happened on this day.

But I’ve also come to realize that the incarnation of Jesus Christ was the most profound event in human history, an event that has stunning implications for us today.

And what’s also profound to me is that, as much as we know about Jesus and celebrate His birth, we’ve SO underestimated who He is and why God did what He did on Christmas day.

In my mind, there’s simply no adequate language to express it.

In my next few posts I would like to share my inadequate thoughts on this by dealing with three questions about Jesus’ birth.

1. Who is Jesus Christ?
2. Why was it necessary for God to become a man?
3. What does all of this mean for us?

For now, I will share a music video by the group, All Sons and Daughters, titled, “God with Us.” It’s a song we started singing at our local church gathering.  I think it will bless you.

Until next time.

God With Us
All Sons and Daughters “Live”

You’ve come to bring peace, to be Love
To be nearer to us
You’ve come to bring life, to be Light
To shine brighter in us

Oh Emmanuel God with us

Our Deliverer, You are Savior
In Your presence we find our strength
Over ev’rything, our Redemption
God with us
You are God with us

Oh You’ve come to be hope to this world
For Your honor and name
And You’ve come to take sin, to bear shame
And to conquer the grave

Oh Emmanuel God with us

You are here
You are holy
We are standing in Your glory (Lord)

CCLI Song # 6460237

Jason Ingram | Leslie Jordan
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