Immanuel: God with Us!

Isaiah 7:14 says, "All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)."

What an incredible thought that God came to earth to dwell among us, to be with us. This is an impossible thought to comprehend completely, but we should spend some time this season pondering this just as Mary did. What does this mean and how can and should this change us?

The creator of all we see, came to live among us. He came to experience all we experience, to love us and give his life for us. It is hard for me to fathom this kind of love, to understand the father's love that he would send his Son to live in this sinful world and not just live here but become sin for you and me so that we could live in freedom.

It is easy for me to think about and meditate on, but more difficult to follow this example but this is exactly what God calls us to as we meditate on Jesus birth. Meditation should lead to worship and action. God calls us to be sent just as Jesus was sent. (John 20:21) We are to go just as Jesus came. He set aside his rights and privileges to come and be with us and serve us. (Phil 2:7)

So who is it in your world this Christmas season that you are to "be with" and serve? Be careful to not get caught up doing and forget to be. This is what God is teaching me. Be present, love, serve. Immanuel, God with us!