“‘She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
‘Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’”
Matthew 1:21-23
In Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah had prophesied that a virgin would give birth to a child to save the house of David – a child proclaimed to be Emmanuel which means “God With Us”. The child was also to be named Jesus – which means The Lord is Salvation. This child will be both. A finite human is born at the same time an infinite son is given. As human, Jesus will be familiar with our suffering and sympathetic to our weakness and sin. As God, he will be able to deliver us from this. He represents God’s deep presence within our own humanity.
Mary with courage and love held this revelation in her heart until the time to deliver this divine baby.
God enabled her to give us the ultimate Christmas gift. Merry Christmas to you all this Christmas Day. May your hearts be filled with love, joy, and peace.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please give us the wisdom and insight to recognize all the ways Emmanuel is with us as we go through this next year. Amen
Jane Hudson