Hope has a name, Immanuel, God with us.
This year ambiguity, divisiveness, isolation, financial strain, and a worldwide pandemic have been with us. But through it all, Immanuel, God, has also been with us.
God is with us in the happy and the hard and in the miracles and the mess. God is with us in the tinsel and the tangles.
“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).
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,” (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:23).
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote the book of Isaiah between 701-681 BC.[1] Scholars believe Matthew wrote his gospel account in 41 AD.[2] Over 700 years separated the writings of Isaiah and Matthew, yet they both wrote of the same hope: Immanuel, God with us!
As you ponder these things, consider listening to “He is with You” by Mandisa.
As we prepare our hearts for the Christmas season, may we reflect on this promise: Hope has a name, and His name is Immanuel, God with us.
Joy to you this Christmas season,
~April
©April Dawn White 2020
Photos by Nathan Anderson and Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash and Gareth Harper on Unsplash
