12/10/11- Messiah to be Called "Immanuel"

12/10- Day 14- Light the first two candles.  The Messiah shall be Called Immanuel- God with us- Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23

¹⁴Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel  (Isaiah 7;14)

²³"Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel" (which being interpreted is, "God with us"). (Matthew 1:23)

(“Nativity” Giorgione 1507)

Thoughts: Immanuel is a title of Jesus, not the name of Jesus. It means "God with us."  Jesus was to be God in the flesh.  But He was recognized in His miracles, in His loving teaching, in His manner of life as God in the flesh.  Thomas fell at His feet and cried, “My Lord and My God!”  In Isaiah the child, Immanuel, born at the prophet’s bidding, was a sign of God’s care and deliverance from the enemies of his people (at the time the armies of Syria and Israel).  But the ultimate deliverance is for all people.  It is deliverance of sin and the punishment due for sin.  Have you ever felt at Christmas time that God was just “with” you.  Have you experienced nearness of God?  God’s presence with us is a sign of His care and blessing. 

Prayer: Lord, you are God come down- God with us.  Thank you for coming down for us to deliver us.