Immanuel, God With Us

As dawn breaks on Christmas morning, children will leap out of bed, their hearts racing with excitement and joy, eagerly anticipating that perfect gift they’ve wished for all year. The thrill of tearing open colorful presents and the laughter shared around the holiday tree create a truly magical atmosphere during this festive season.

 

Adults will gather too, bringing warmth and togetherness as they enjoy delicious meals filled with flavors that stir up fond memories. The heartwarming exchange of gifts among family and friends showcases the love and gratitude that strengthen our connections.

 

However, in the midst of this joyful celebration, some may find themselves alone or grappling with grief, feeling the empty space left by a loved one. Others face the harsh reality of loneliness, without a home or a warm meal. Yet, even in these shadowy moments, a glimmer of hope shines through.

 

Long ago, the Israelites held onto the promise of a coming Messiah who would deliver them. This awaited Savior was foretold by prophets throughout the Old Testament, including Isaiah, who proclaimed, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” But what does this profound announcement truly mean? It conveys that this child, born of a virgin, is not just a child but also “the Son”—the Son of God, the Messiah who existed with the Father from the very beginning. He came into our world not simply to witness our struggles, but to rescue us from our sins. He is Immanuel, God with us.

 

Jesus had a clear mission: to fulfill the Father’s will. The book of Hebrews offers a glimpse of a touching dialogue between the Father and His Son, Jesus.

“Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God.” Hebrews 10:5-7 (NIV)

 

Jesus came not only to fulfill the Father’s will, but also to reveal the very nature of the Father to us.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”  Colossians 1:15 (NIV)

 

The Apostle John expresses this beautifully when he writes,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. 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. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”  John 1:1-2, 14, 18 (NIV)

 

The most extraordinary gift that God has given us is, in fact, Himself. He sees us, knows us, and loves us profoundly. As Paul writes in Romans 5:6, God understood our desperate need for Jesus; only He could bridge the gap we created with our sins and offer us salvation and redemption.

 

God sent His Son to us at just the right moment—when we were lost in our transgressions. Today, He remains with us, ready to heal our wounded hearts and mend our brokenness. He didn’t just come to dwell among us but to restore our fractured relationship with Him. Through Jesus—Immanuel—we find our salvation and are reconciled to our Heavenly Father through His finished work on the cross.

 

Yes, over two thousand years ago, Immanuel walked among us. His Sacrifice and the complete work on the cross mean we are saved by grace. Our brokenness no longer defines us; instead, we are made whole through Him. This embodies our hope: one day, He will return, and we will dwell with Him for all eternity. The most glorious days are yet to come.

 

As we reflect not only during Christmas but throughout our lives, we may find ourselves asking: What can we possibly give to God, who has everything? The answer is both simple and profound: He desires a relationship with each of us. All He asks is for us to open our hearts and let Him in.

 

Opening our hearts to God is like opening a window on a bright day. Just as sunlight pours in when you let in fresh air, inviting God’s presence into our lives brings warmth, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. It lets us experience the fullness of His love and grace, transforming our hearts and minds just as sunlight brightens a dark room. Only Jesus, Immanuel, is the essential path to salvation—a journey that frees us from sin and restores our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for the immeasurable gift of salvation that You have bestowed upon us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, I am in awe of Your willingness to leave the splendor of heaven and enter our broken world. You came to rescue us from the chains of sin and to bear the weight of our transgressions, paying the price that we could never afford.

In Your humility, You exchanged Your divine glory to walk among us, to feel our struggles and know our pain. This unfathomable act of love fills me with profound thankfulness for the precious gift of grace. It is through You, Jesus, that I am able to experience true freedom—a freedom that is not earned through my own merit, but rather, granted out of Your boundless love for humanity.

In moments of weakness, I am reminded of Your faithfulness and the price You paid so that I could be redeemed. I cherish this relationship with You and strive to reflect Your love in my life. Thank You, Lord, for forever changing my story with Your grace. I love You deeply, and I surrender my heart to You. Amen!

Reference:

Caporusso, C. (2025). (Nativity). [Photograph]. [Personal Collection]

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.