One of the greatest stories ever told is presented with profound simplicity in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament of the Bible. Read the brief description with an open heart:
“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 call his name Immanuel,” which means “God with Us.” (Matthew 1:20-23)
Christmas. The celebration of Immanuel—God With Us. The story of Jesus—born to die, died he did to rise, rise he did that salvation might come and all things be made new.
Immanuel’s appearance means the arrival of the Light that shoves away the soul’s darkness, filling it with life. The Bible records Jesus as saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Immanuel’s appearance means the arrival of the Liberator that smashes strongholds which keep you captive to sin, sorrow and shame. About Jesus, the Apostle Paul declares in Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Immanuel’s appearance means the arrival of the Lover who satisfies you with his deep, unsurpassing character. In the Bible, Jesus says to his followers, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends . . .” (John 15:12-14).
Immanuel’s appearance means the arrival of the Leader who shepherds you forevermore, always looking out for your very best interests . . . because your very best interests are always his very best interests for you. To his disciples Jesus declared, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).