Isaiah 7:14-16

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” vs. 14

Ahaz got his undesired sign, the birth of a son, and we can imagine that he was thrilled. The name of the child, Immanuel, implied that Jerusalem would be safe, that God would be with them, and their country would not be destroyed. Some centuries later, another child was born, Jesus by name, and the old name was attached to him. Immanuel, “with us is God,” is a beautiful, hopeful reminder that we are not alone and that we have not been abandoned. Immanuel comes to us in Advent and through the year and is present on the most unnerving and devastating days of our lives. When our worlds are shattered and death comes to our doors Immanuel is there, and we are lifted up in our grieving and strengthened in our suffering. We sing out in our churches, “Oh, come, oh, come, Immanuel…disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.” And then it happens! Whether we sense it or not, God is with us, and ultimately our mournful sobs are replaced with songs of joy. It’s this shift from sighing to rejoicing that is the most wonderful sign of all, a powerful indicator that life always has the last word, and death is never the end. Praise be to God!

Thought for the Day: When has Immanuel come to me?