All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
God With Us
Hope - Zechariah - hope of son
Hope of redemption - Messiah has arrived as promised
Love was born - a love we can know and experience
1 John 4:16 ESV
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
God With Us
Joy for all, un-containable joy - Elizabeth and Mary’s song
Not based on circumstances - but on a person
Peace - beyond understanding and position - Shepherds
All foretold all promised
Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
God With Us is Jesus
Different perspective
King steps down - humbled Himself, became approachable
Fully human - pains and aches, hunger and cold
Word became flesh vs 6-7
Poured Himself out (emptying), born to die, died the worst death, satisfied judgement, vs 7-9
Promised return - All will acknowledge vs 10-11
If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: “God with us.” We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth! John MacArthur
