One of the names given to Jesus, proclaimed by the angels, is ‘Immanuel’ (or ‘Emmanuel’), meaning, ‘God with us.’ It’s one of the most amazing truths of Christmas that God Almighty, in the form of Jesus Christ, came to dwell with us. I love this song also because it points to the reason that Jesus came: ‘here born to bleed.’
‘What hope we hold this starlit night
A King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long, we seek the light
That leads to the hallowed manger ground
What fear we felt in the silent age
Four-hundred years can He be found
But broken by a baby’s cry
Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate, here to dwell
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Praise His name Emmanuel
The son of God, here born to bleed
A crown of thorns would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering
Exalted now the King of kings
Praise God for the hallowed manger ground.’ (‘Emmanuel, Hallowed Manger Ground,’ Chris Tomlin)