One word stands out as I read the story of Jesus’ birth:
Immanuel.
When the angel appeared to Joseph, he told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.
Although everything seemed confusing from a human perspective, God was already carrying out His perfect plan of salvation.
The angel also instructed Joseph to name the child Jesus, which means, “The Lord saves.”
Jesus did not come merely to improve our lives or solve temporary problems.
He came to save us from our greatest problem—our sin.
Matthew then explains that all of this happened to fulfill what God had spoken through the prophet.
He quotes the prophecy:
“Immanuel.”
It means, “God with us.”
This name beautifully describes the entire mission of Jesus.
Because of sin, humanity had become separated from God.
Yet God did not remain distant.
He came to us.
Jesus experienced hunger, sorrow, rejection, and suffering.
He understands our weakness because He walked among us.
Joseph also teaches us an important lesson.
He did not obey because he understood everything.
He obeyed because he trusted God’s word.
Through that simple obedience, God’s plan of salvation continued to unfold.
There are seasons in our lives when we do not understand what God is doing.
We may wonder why we must wait or why difficult things happen.
But the promise of Immanuel reminds us that we never walk alone.
Jesus is not only our Savior who rescues us from sin.
He is also God who is always with us.
That is the hope of Christmas and the hope we carry every single day.
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