Emmanuel

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I’ve been thinking about one of the names of Jesus: Emmanuel.  This name is celebrated and fleshed out in the Christmas carol, “O Come, O come Emmanuel”. One verse in particular has been running through my mind:

O Come thou Day-Spring

Come and cheer

Our spirits by thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death’s dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, o Israel

God showed his great love for us when he promised to be with us always.  In Matthew 1:23, we read: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name “Immanuel” (God with us).  After Jesus’ death on the cross, He was buried and on the third day, resurrected. He appeared to his disciples, commissioned them to share the good news with all the world, and promised to be with them always, to the end of the age.

In the gospels we learn that the God who created us loved us so much that (in Jesus) He became flesh, dwelt among us, showed us how to live, then gave up His own life for us, becoming the Savior and Redeemer of those who believe in Him.  This Christmas Day, may the advent of Jesus cheer our spirits, disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and put death’s dark shadows to flight! Rejoice, God is with us!