[280 words]
One of the earliest predictions about the birth of Christ came from the prophet Isaiah. Seven centuries before our Lord was born, this Old Testament preacher wrote: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). This passage would be repeated later to remind us that Jesus is our Immanuel (Matthew 1:23).
In the Bible, names mean something. “Immanuel” comes from two Hebrew words. When they are combined, they mean “God with us.”
Unlike any other person in history, Immanuel would be conceived by true miracle. By the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit, he would be conceived in the womb of a virgin.
Unlike any other person, Immanuel would never commit any sin (Hebrews 4:15).
Unlike any other person, Immanuel would “be with us” and never, ever leave us (Hebrews 13:5).
I once watched an artist paint a picture. As she started painting, the picture was dark and even foreboding. She drew in trees without leaves – looking dead. The sky was filled with dark clouds – which made everything dark. Snow wasn’t falling. It was coming in among sheets of sleet. In the distance, she painted a small, dark house. It looked like something from a nightmare. But then, with a simple stroke of bright yellow, she showed a warm, bright light coming out of the one and only window. The light was inviting, and it represented warmth and light and friendship. It was a “welcome home” type of light. The artist finished her work by giving it the title – “HOPE!”
That’s what our Immanuel means to us. He is HOPE in a world made dark by sin.
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX