Emmanuel

This month we have been looking at the meaning of Hebrew words. For the Christmas season we simply must look at the word Emmanuel. We have looked at Hesad: love in action, or love came down with the birth of baby Jesus. Mishkan, the dwelling, we are the dwelling place of Gods Holy Spirit. Today we will look at Emmanuel.

Spelled in two ways, Immanuel or Emmanuel the direct translation is noted in the Bible as “God with us” taken from Isaiah 7:14. It is made up of two words: Immanu meaning with us, and el meaning God.

We hear it used over and over throughout the Christmas season, it is used on Christmas cards, in Christmas carols, it is a sermon favourite at this time of year.

“God with us.”

Although the word is usually reserved for Christmas and we put it with a baby in a manger. When the prophecy was first given, there was no baby, but there was a promise, and a hope. God was sharing a message that was not new, it has always been: God with us.

God has been sharing this message throughout the Bible from the beginning.

God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. He is the God of encounter.

Abraham, the man who walked with God was told that through himself, Abraham, the “whole world would be blessed.” Not simply the Israelites, not just Christians, but the “whole world.”

The most quoted verse of the Bible John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

God so loved the world, not a part, a portion but the whole world.

Interesting the staggering number of churches that have been burned down in Canada. Terry Newman reported to the National Post on November 5, 2024, that since 2010 until recently that number is 593. Terry reported 592 but a Greek Orthodox church northeast of Edmonton was burned to the ground in September 2025.

Do you know that it was after Israel had been wiped out by enemies in 586 BC. the promised land was ravaged, Gods people were taken in exile, to lands not their own, it was at this time God sent out a word to a broken, depressed people. Upon loosing everything God said: “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”Jeremiah 29:11.

They lost everything, taken captive, no God they can see or find and then God says “I know the plans I have for you…they are good plans…”

Not from the Israelites eyes it wasn’t. It feels like too little too late God, we got beaten, we lost everything, we waited for You to show up, You didn’t. Can you feel the people’s pain and anger, the hopelessness of such a promise.

In our country religion is on the hot seat with our government. Churches are being targeted for destruction. Australia just had a horrendous attack on a Jewish group of people. Persecution, violence, destruction and then we hear “Emmanuel: God with us”

Really? Look around, where can you find Him? We turn our backs and walk away because it did not happen the way we thought it would, it was not your plan.

God keeps on walking, right towards you. You do not have to go looking for Him, He is not lost, you are. God knows your exact location. God does not promise a pain free, trial free life. He promises to be with us.

Things look bleak? The world is dark? Perfect!

The darker it gets the more the need for a little light. Enter a little baby.

A little baby who had a brilliant star in the sky celebrating His arrival. A little baby who had Gods armies, not fluffy angels, singing in the heavens when He was born. Angel armies!

When it is at the darkest, the tiniest flame will pierce right to the heart of the dark.

God noticed the dark, and He came to us. He came to us, God With Us, Emmanuel.

Emmanuel is not simply a baby in a manger. Emmanuel is a declaration from heaven itself.

I Am The God Who Is With You.

Now and Forever. Amen.