Immanuel

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,
to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and
line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to
be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there,
the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her
firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a
manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Luke 2:4-7

DEVOTION

A couple of weeks ago, I began the ritual of unpacking my myriad of nativity scenes, just like I do every year. I love collecting nativities. My family has added to my collection over the years, including those they’ve purchased in Europe, antique stores, garage sales, and more, each one with its own unique style. Some are childlike and whimsical, others are more elegant, hand-carved, or hand-painted. It takes hours to unwrap and arrange them, ensuring each person, donkey, and lamb is situated to worship the baby Jesus.

This verse from Isaiah 7:14 always comes to mind while assembling the nativity:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

This promise was played out in Matthew 1:20-23 and Luke 2:4-7:

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to takeMary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from theHoly Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’).”

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of a promise given hundreds of years before he was born. But what was this promise, really? It’s everything.

It is God choosing to give up all of heaven, to wrap himself in flesh, and to come to earth as a helpless baby. It is Jesus living among us, experiencing the fallen world in companionship with fallen humans. God came to be with you.

In the middle of a pandemic where the new normal is still in the future—God is with you.

In the midst of contention and conflict in political realms, relationships, and cultures—God is with you.

In the depth of loss and breadth of uncertainty—God is with you.

When you are afraid and need rescuing—God is with you.

When you are alone—God is with you.

There is no place God cannot or will not go to be with you. He left heaven to prove it. This promise is the path to redemption, to being made right with God, even though it’s humanly impossible. This promise is Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. This promise, fulfilled, is everything.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, let the promise of all that your birth encompasses overwhelm my heart and mind this Christmas season. As I go through each day, regardless of what is ahead, I don’t travel alone; you are with me. I worship you as Immanuel, God with us. In your holy name, amen.

Cindy Western

Pastor of Discipleship Materials & Small Groups

Cindy Western is Pastor of Discipleship Materials & Small Groups. She is passionate about helping people experience Jesus through Bible studies, small groups, and community.

cwestern@crossings.church

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