I heard Amy Grant’s “Emmanuel” for the first time this year while driving home today. To be honest, I haven’t been listening to much Christmas music at all…in fact, I barely decorated my house. Blame it on COVID, 2020, or the fact that I find undecorating from Christmas to be very depressing…so I just didn’t do it. But I digress. Here are the lyrics to the song:
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Wonderful Counselor
Lord of life, Lord of all
He’s the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
As I listened to those words, I had one of those God moments right there on the highway. In a year of social isolation, of uncertainty, of fear and anxiety, this name for Jesus stood out to me more than ever.
Emmanuel. God with us.
God with us.
Though everything else is uncertain, there is surety in those words. God is with us. He sent His Son here as a tiny baby to become an atoning sacrifice for us! God Himself clothed in flesh and living here in the middle of our filth and sin and squalor, yet He remained sinless so we could be united with Him forever.
Jesus came here to abide with us so that we can abide with Him forever. Christmas is the celebration of his birth, but it should never eclipse the face that His death meant reconciliation. His resurrection is a promise of eternal life with him for those who believe in Christ as their Savior.
God with us.
Maybe you’re alone this Christmas. Maybe you’re isolated from family for one reason or another, or separated from dear friends. It doesn’t look like a normal holiday season for so many of us, but it should not take away from the very real reason for the season..
I pray this is a reminder to you, no matter what your Christmas plans are this year, that you keep that beautiful name in mind.
Emmanuel.
God with us.
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