O come, O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear.
Scripture
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.”
Revelation 21:3
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”
Reflection
The Bible says that Jesus is “God with us.” Notice that there’s nothing we do to make this so. God wants to be with us. So, let’s rest in Him.
Who is this Jesus that is God with us?
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature.
Since that’s who He is, and He is with us always, how does that free us up to live?
Shall we live in fear?
Remember He is Love and perfect love casts out fear. Nothing can snatch us out of His hand.
Shall we despair of our sin?
Remember that when we were yet dead in our sins, He declared His love for us. He has conquered sin and death.
Shall we cower at the opinions of people?
Remember, God the Father permanently determined our value at the cost of Jesus’ own life.
Shall we be anxious for anything?
Remember His great and precious promises—all of which are “yes” in Jesus—for He who promised is faithful.
Shall we spend our lives in pursuit of this world’s riches?
Remember, He has gone to prepare a place for us where we will see Him face to face in eternal bliss. And that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart of man imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Through your love and by your grace, please conform us to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. And may Your Holy Spirit bear all His fruit in us abundantly, to the praise of Your glorious grace!
Enjoy The LORD!
Kurt Kreiger
