Birth of Emmanuel

Introduction

Imagine with me for a moment the scariest situation you have ever experienced. What was your reaction? How did you feel? Did you turn to someone else for help or hope?

I remember one evening during my senior year of college. I was in my room studying (yes, I was actually studying). I got a phone call from someone else on campus (yes, an actual phone that plugged into the wall with a long cord). Here was the message. I was at Montage skiing today and Sherry had an accident. I think she was unconscious and they had to use the snowmobile cart to get her off the mountain and they took her to the hospital. Her brother might be with her. (Click).

Sherry and I were dating. I knew she was the one (she may have still been wondering). Skiing accident, ambulance, hospital, no information. I didn’t have a car. I didn’t know which hospital. I didn’t know anything. I was afraid, concerned, worried, unsure. I didn’t know what to do. There wasn’t anything I could do.

So, I decided to sit in my room and worry, until an annoying freshman kept bothering me and I about broke his back (but that’s a different story). I internalized my fear and worry, and let it get the best of me for a few hours, until she got home and I finally found out what happened and other than getting knocked out and splitting her chin open, she was going to be all right.

What do you do to handle the fears and worry that come into our lives? Is there something in the Christmas story that can help us?

Bible/Series Intro

This morning we are beginning our Christmas series. And as Andi mentioned earlier, we are going to be using each verse of the song, Immanuel, as a launching point for our messages over the next few weeks. On your seat, this morning was a copy of the song. The words of verse 1 echo the fairly familiar Christmas story.

No room in the inn

Mary’s miraculous conception and willingness to trust God

Joseph’s emotional struggle and willingness to trust God

Which all culminated in the angel’s message to the shepherd’s that a Savior was born in Bethlehem, the gift of God and dawning of Immanuel.

But who is this Immanuel? Read Matthew 1.18-23 (p. )

Analogical Use

Matthew 2.5-6 -

Matthew 2.15 -

Matthew 2.17-18 -

Isaiah 7 & 8

Cf. 2 Kings 16

Cf. 2 Chron 28

Presence of God

Ex 13.21-22 pillar of cloud and fire

Tabernacle and temple

God With Us

God with us calms our fears

When God Is With Us, No Fear Can Stand Against Us