Emmanuel, God with us!

 “Emmanuel, God with us” reads a bit like a dictionary entry. It is pretty straightforward: a word followed by its definition. 

Scripture is rarely so concise and direct in telling us what is meant by a particular word. That being said, things are not as simple as they seem in this case. The significance of the word “Emmanuel” goes far beyond the three word explanation we are given. 

These words are merely the entry point into a world of far deeper meaning. It is as if one were to discover a well of untold depths, filled with the best, cleanest, and perhaps “living” water. The cover to that well would be inscribed “Emmanuel, God with us”. It is only when one takes off the lid and draws water from the well within, that one can truly understand the significance of the well’s cover.

In 1868 Phillip Brooks wrote the Christmas hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem”. In it he comes at the moment of Christ’s birth from a number of angles. One phrase that stands out that really highlights the depth of meaning found in “Emmanuel” is “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

Indeed, Emmanuel, God with us, carries all the world’s hopes and fears as all creation has been groaning under the weight of sin and the curse. “God with us” is the point in history at which the tides turn for God’s people as fears are struck down and hope is birthed in Jesus Christ.

A simple little dictionary entry carrying the weight of history. God with us. 

God!

God with us!

Emmanuel is indeed the Good News that our souls long for.

 As you enter this advent season, consider that you’ve only just begun to plumb the depths of God’s love for you. You’ve hardly touched or tasted the sweetness of fellowship with Him. You’ve only just now removed the “Emmanuel, God with us” cover to a well that will never run dry.

I leave you today with the words of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” which fittingly ends with the phrase: “O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.”

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see they lie;

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by,

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;

The hope and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,

While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth;

And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray;

Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.