Emmanual & Merry Christmas!

December 23-25, 2013 - Emmanuel – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Isaiah 7:14 “The Lord himself shall give you a sign: The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son, and she will name him, Immanuel” (NCV).

 “Virgin” (Heb. almah) can mean either “virgin” or “a young woman before marriage. (1) The immediate application of this sign was to a new bride, who would have been a virgin until the time of her marriage. (2) The ultimate (most important) fulfillment of this prophecy was realized in the birth of Jesus Christ by the virgin Mary (Mat.1:23). Mary was a virgin and remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus (Mat.1:18,25). The conception of her son came about by a miracle of the Holy Spirit rather than through the act of a man (Mat.1:16:23). (3) The virgin’s son was to be called “Immanuel” means “God with us” (Mat.1:23). That name acquired a new depth meaning in the personal coming into the world of God’s only begotten Son (John 3:16). Note from the Full Life Study Bible.

God prophesied to Isaiah during the year in 722 B.C. Jesus was born around 4 B.C. God’s prophecy took about 700 years of waiting in God’s time for Immanuel to be born. Matthew 1:23 “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.” From Matthew 1:1-17, there were 14 generations from Abraham to David and another 14 generations from David to Christ. The only way Christ could be born a human was to be born of a woman.

So the question remains, when did God prepare all this? Ephesians 1:4 “According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” The answer is “Before the world was made.” Imagine, the earth wasn’t even formed yet. He thought of YOU. He chose YOU. He wants YOU.

 “Ephesians 1:5 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” The word, predestinate means to decide beforehand especially by divine command. The base word, destine means to settle in advance; to choose, assign, or dedicate in advance.

So Christmas is a time to remember why would God give a name, Emmanuel? It is because God wants to be with YOU. God wants to be close to YOU. He proved it through John 3:16. He sent His Son to the world so anyone who believed in Him should not perish and not have to be separated from God the Father, but to stay close to Him.

Song: Jesus, Name Above All Names

Jesus, name above all names,

Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.

Emmanuel, God is with us,

Blessed Redeemer, Living Word.

(Naida Hearn, Sing His Praise)

Merry Christmas to you and remember, “Emmanuel,” God is with you!