Immanuel
There is no one in history that has been given more names or titles than Jesus. The Bible contains almost 200 names and titles that reference Jesus. However, whether He is called “Bright morning star,” “Wonderful Counselor,” “The Alpha and the Omega” or the “Lamb of God,” there is no name more significant than “Immanuel” (Matt. 1:23). This special Christmas name means: “God with us.” The baby born to Mary in a manger, the infant that the shepherds ran to see, the newborn child that the Magi traveled hundreds of miles to worship is Immanuel, God with us.
Sunday’s sermon titles were listed on the sign outside an Orlando church: 11 a.m. – “Jesus walking on Water.” 7 p.m. “Searching for Jesus.” The good news of Christmas is that we do not have to search for Jesus because He came to us. The early Christians didn’t say: “Look what the world is coming to” but “Look what has come to the world!” In that manger, we see that God emptied Himself of all heaven’s royalty as the “Word became flesh and dwelled among us” (Jn. 1:14).
Each day of the year be strengthened with the triumphant message: “A virgin will have a baby and He will be called Immanuel, God with us.” Our sin separated ourselves far away from God, but at Christmas God was born as Immanuel, God with us forever and ever. Therefore start each day with the sense of triumph as Handle’s Messiah is replayed in your mind:
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9: 6-7).
Immanuel: God with us!