God with us

‘… and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is translated ‘God with us.’’ – Matthew 1.23

There is a lot to celebrate on this day we have chosen to celebrate the incarnate Christ. Of course, I have a few opportunities to share this time of year and this year this main theme has stuck out for me – God with us! GOD with us. God WITH us. God with US!

Of all the miracles involved in the incarnation of Christ this really stuck out to me – Emmanuel.

The very notion that a holy God would come to live with sinful men is way beyond my ken. It is one of those ‘I don’t get it’ things. If I think about it too much it makes my head hurt. 

‘Fullness of God in helpless Babe.’ What an amazing concept – and what a blessing. It is great enough that it deserves at least a season of the year to stop and focus on it. We can enjoy the festivities of the season without letting it be our focus. We can have the fun of the season without forgetting the reason. 

My favourite Christmas hymn is ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing.’ There is one phrase that really sticks out to me on the theme of Emmanuel.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

Hail th’incarnate Deity,

Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus our Emmanuel.

So enjoy the day today. Enjoy the trappings if you wish. Have fun with the family and enjoy the meal. 

But remember that Immanuel was ‘pleased as man with man to dwell' and give thanks that He chose to be 'God with us.' 

Praise God that He came to dwell with man so we could one day go to dwell with Him.