Immanuel

Matthew 1 cont’d:

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

Joseph and Mary must have known all of the words and prophecies of the coming Messiah.  It had been told over and over again that a virgin would bear a son, and that son would be “God with us” because he would come to live among men.

But do you think they ever once thought they might be the parents?

I don’t think they ever thought that.  I think they loved God and longed for his promise to be fulfilled and they couldn’t wait for the hope of a Savior for the world, just like everyone else.  I don’t think they went to bed at night thinking, “God pick me!” “Let us be the parents!”

And this verse also reminds us that God’s promises are not limited to time, space, people, or protocol.  His promises are true and they happen, in the most unlikely circumstances, among the most unlikely people – us.

God with us.

I like that.

Just that sentence alone embodies all of the peace and comfort we need for today.