CHRISTmas.

“O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appears.”  These are the words to the first stanza of a very famous CHRISTmas hymn. It is sung during advent as it is a time of anticipating the birth of Jesus. Though I had sung this hymn many times while growing up a child, about 30 years ago I had an epiphany and came to understand it’s meaning; what joy filled my heart. It has now become one of my favorite CHRISTmas hymns.  Israel was in bondage

because of their sins and they were waiting and waiting for the birth of this Messiah who would save them. He would pay the debt they owed; He would pay their ransom so freedom would be theirs.

But not only Israel was held captive by their sins, but all who live without a relationship with Jesus are in bondage as well.

In Matthew 1:21 an angel told Joseph, “and she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” This is what the name Jesus means, God is Salvation. Acts 4:12 states, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Our salvation is through faith in Jesus. It is not based on what you have done or plan to do but what has already been accomplished for you.

But what about this name Immanuel, what is the meaning of this? This was a prophecy about Jesus that was recorded in the book of Isaiah which stated,

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” This name Immanuel means God with us. This truly declares the deity of Jesus being fully God and fully man. Jesus is God and He lived on earth for 33 years; truly this prophecy was fulfilled, God was with man. 

As New testament believers we now have God in us through the person of the Holy Spirit.

Immanuel has come and now He resides not only with us but in us. God is with us wherever we go and He will accomplish His plans and purposes through us because He is in us.

This CHRISTmas season may you be filled with continual joy and amazement that Jesus loved you so much that He would leave His glory in heaven, be born as a babe in the world He spoke into existence, would live a sinless life and then die on the cross, so you could live in freedom from the bondage of sin.  2Co 5:21 states,   “ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Merry CHRISTmas.

Pastor Marty