One of the key prophecies we remember at Christmas-time is found in Isaiah 7:14 TNIV: ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.’ This is quoted in the birth narratives in Matthew 1:23 TNIV where the meaning of ‘Immanuel’ is given: ‘God with us’. One of the most exciting facts about Christmas is the fact that God came in the form of Jesus to be with us and that He remains with us by His Spirit at all times.
“A sign shall be given,
A virgin will conceive,
A human baby bearing
Undiminished deity.
The glory of the nations,
A light for all to see,
And hope for all who will embrace
His warm reality.
Immanuel,
Our God is with us.
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us?
Our God is with us:
Immanuel.
For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned.
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come.
So what will be your answer?
Will you hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His son
But gave him for us all.
On earth there is no power
There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ. (‘Immanuel’, Michael Card)
Michael Card, ‘Immanuel’