December 6, 2021

 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign;  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”  Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

The promise of Christmas is the promise of God’s Presence.  Immanuel means “God with us.”  Jesus was God in the flesh.  He fulfilled the promise given through the prophet Isaiah.  But the fulfillment of the promise is greater than a promise for a mere moment in History.  The promise is a promise for all eternity. 

As Jesus was preparing for his return to the Father, he left his disciples with these words, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20.

The promise of Immanuel is a return to the presence of God.  We can experience his presence here today.  As we pray he has promised that, “Wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, I am in the midst of Him. Matthew 18:20”  As we sing, the Lord has promised  that he will, “Inhabit the praises of his people.”  As we welcome him into our hearts he has promised,  “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

Today we celebrate the promises that Christ has fulfilled, the promises being fulfilled today, and the promises yet to be fulfilled. 

Truly, we can celebrate!  For God is with us!