According to Cruden’s Concordance first published in 1737, there are 198 different names and titles of Jesus in the Bible. One of these is Immanuel which means “God is with us” as mentioned in Matthew 1:22. This was the fulfillment of the prophecy written by Isaiah in chapter 7 verse 14, 700 years before the birth of Jesus.
The name Immanuel or Emmanuel is an affirmation of what John 1 tells us that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Indeed, Jesus is God and God is with us in the person of Jesus Christ.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us reflect on what is the meaning of Immanuel for us.
First, we have the assurance that God will never leave us nor forsake us.
There are many verses in the Bible that gives us the assurance that God is with us. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 1 Kings 8:57 also says, “May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us.” The writer of Hebrews quoted this also in chapter 13 verse 5.
So, in this Christmas and every day, let us be assured that no matter our circumstances, if we trust in God, God will never leave us nor forsake us.
Second, we have the confidence that God will find a way.
The people in the Bible have encountered a lot of barriers but God found a way for them. In the same manner, God will find a way for us because He is Immanuel.
God said in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” This indeed happened, and will continue to happen. As the song of Don Moen says, “God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me.”
Jesus will help us find a way becaue He himself is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
In this Christmas season, let us have the assurance that God is with us!
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communication