December 1:
"The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel." Isaiah 7:14
Daily Reflection:
This month we focus on Christ’s coming into the world as a newborn baby, on God wrapping himself in human flesh, taking on our vulnerabilities, our brokenness, to save us…not just in the blink of an eye. He chose to walk our world for three decades. The name of God Emmanuel means just that “God With Us”.
Isaiah, in this scripture, prophecies Jesus’ coming to be with us. Emmanuel: God with us. Those three words speak volumes of who Jesus is.
- GOD with us: He is fully God, Divine.
- God WITH us: He is present, actively engaged
- God with US: It is for humanity that he became a person just like us.
Let’s spend this month, digging deeper into how God has been our Emmanuel since the start and how he continues to do that even into our age!
Daily Prayer:
Father, people of our time are hurting with so much pain, sickness, and suffering. We need to know we are not alone in this life. We need to have you with us, your power, and your understanding. We beg you to stay with us, to never leave us. We need you, our Creator, our Almighty God. Thank you for sending Jesus, to fulfill this prophecy, born of a virgin, to be Emmanuel, God with us. Open our hearts to know what that means for us this Christmas season. Draw us even closer into your arms.
Digging Deeper:
What do you think it must have been like for God to become a person?
If you would like to continue reading the devotional, click the book below to pick up your own copy of the book from Amazon.
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Also in Emmanuel Devotional Sneak Peek
Emmanuel: A Christmas Devotional, Day 5, God with Moses
Emmanuel: A Christmas Devotional, Day 4, God with Jacob Again
We are hanging out with Jacob again today. Decades have passed. He now has 11 sons and several daughters from four wives. He still lives in his Uncle Laban’s household where he’s worked since he ran away from home years before. God is clearly with him. His flocks increased while Laban’s decreased. Jacob anxiously notices his Uncle’s and cousins’ jealousy. At that time God once again intervenes.
