But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall call his name Immanuel”
Joseph is told that Mary should bring forth the Saviour of the world.
"He was to call his name Jesus - because it means 'The Lord saves' - this baby is the One the whole epic story of the universe, the tale of the greatest rescue, has been leading up to. He's finally coming to save His children...from all that held them captive to the darkness."
The angel had told him that 'He would be called Immanuel… God with us.' The Messiah was the manifestation of God in our midst. The thought is parallel to that of John 1:14.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Emmanuel(God is with us) is a
promise of God's presence and comfort - the promise of the Name is fulfilled in Jesus by His helpful and saving
presence with His people in their sorrow, their conflict with sin, and their
struggle with death.
(compare "Lo, I am with you alway," Matthew 28:20) (source)
"He is the God who is so for you that He can't stay away from you - so God threw open the door of this world and entered as a Baby. He came because He was done with the barriers.
Only the One who loves you to death - the God who had to come back to get you - free you - be with you."
"You alone are the God for us — because You alone are the God who has been one of us. You felt what we feel, You touched the death that we know, You came to us as Immanuel: 'God with us'."
Listen to this moving reading of what these powerful three words truly mean...
"Christmas isn't about getting something big and shiny. It's about God doing whatever it takes to be WITH US - and our doing whatever it takes to be WITH HIM!!!!"
Come back again, as I share Day 24 of the Advent Calender...in the book, "Unwrapping the Greatest Gift".(All quotes listed are from the book, unless indicated.)
I will be sharing each story in this beautiful book, as well as some of the breathtaking pictures. Won't you join me? Stop by each day to see the stories shared. If you would prefer I email you each days post, please leave your email in the comments section or send me an email at apop12341@hotmail.com
and let me know. I will make sure each post is sent to you.
and let me know. I will make sure each post is sent to you.
To view the whole series on one page, go HERE
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