Christmas is the most joyous season of the year, filled with parties and gifts. Everyone joins in the joyful pursuit of the perfect gift, coolest toys, and awesome gadgets. However, the most exceptional gift bestowed upon anyone is Immanuel—God with us.
Matthew 1:23 (ESV): Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).
Best Deal Ever-Two in One!
In our shopping-savvy world, snagging the best deals is a thrill. Two-for-One deals are always an attention grabber. Jesus’ arrival, though, was the ultimate two-for-one special. As fully God, He brought unmatched power, and as a human, He connected with our feelings, joys, and sorrows—making Him the perfect empathetic companion for our needs.
In The Past – Immanuel – Miracles Galore
Social media is full of people who do things that capture our attention. Jesus performed healing miracles, raising-of-the-dead miracles and calming of the stormy seas miracles. Large crowds of people gathered around Him to experience His power. While these showed His miraculous power, they were all done because of his compassion towards mankind. No one who came to Jesus went back empty handed without a miracle.
In The Present -Immanuel – The Miracles Continue
In a world buzzing with claims of miracles, followers often find themselves wanting. Acts of the Apostles unveils the journey of Jesus’ disciples, carrying forward His miraculous legacy. Envision Peter at the temple gate, declaring, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” In a miraculous moment, the man, lame from birth, leaps to his feet and walks!
Jesus is still performing miracles in the lives of people. Jesus said:
John 14:12-14 (ESV)“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
The Future: Immanuel – You can count on Him!
Matthew who presents us that fact that Jesus is the Immanuel, closes his book with a statement of hope from Jesus himself.
Matthew 28:20: …And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
The author of Hebrews states:
Hebrews 13:5: … “For He has said: I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Eternity – Us With God
The grand finale of this is that Jesus will one day come back to take us to Heaven. If you have trusted Him as your Lord and Savior in this earthly life, He will come back in the clouds to take us home so that we can be with Him – forever!
Life Application
What a great promise we have in Christ Jesus! He is not just a baby placed in a manger. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In Revelation, we see that He is the Alpha and Omega. He holds the keys of life and death! No power on earth can come against you, because you are safe in His hands.
So today as you face your battles, and your storms, your depressions, and your temptations, remember that He is still Immanuel – God with us!
Dew Drops of Manna 