As we look forward to the New Year and Epiphany, I carry favorite words and phrases of Advent in my heart. One of them is “Immanuel.” I remember singing the word “Immanuel” in Christmas carols as a child, and thinking it was such a pretty word. I didn’t know that it meant “God with us,” but I still loved to sing that word in Hark the Herald Angels Sing!. Now that I know the meaning of the word, I treasure it even more.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (ESV)
“God with us.” Not just this Monday morning, but always and everywhere. His grace and truth leading us, following us, surrounding us.
“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
God is nearer still when we call upon Him. He is within us when we call upon him “in truth” — sincerely and confidently.
“Oh come, oh come, Immanuel,” we sang in the weeks leading up to Christmas, “and ransom captive Israel.” Ransom our hearts and minds as well, from whatever holds us captive — worry, illness, anger, loneliness, or simply the dread of a new week. We earnestly call upon You, grateful for the knowledge that You were born in a dark time, but overcame the darkness.
Let’s recall the word “Immanuel” often and with gratitude as we approach a new year.
Peace!
