“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, ‘God with us.’”
Matthew 1:23
The scene described in Matthew 1:18–25 is incredibly fascinating. Come rediscover it with me.
Mary and Joseph are engaged to be married and, as was customary at that time, Mary would go home, pack her things, and wait for Joseph to come to get her for the wedding. The bride-to-be may wait two weeks or even six months. Joseph, during this time, was preparing the home that they would soon share, as well as the wedding tent.
Imagine, if you will, being a few weeks into these preparations when you find out that your bersherta, your betrothed, your fiancée, is pregnant and not by you. I have no idea what Joseph must have been thinking but I’m sure his mind must have been all over the place, wondering if he should go through with the marriage at all. What would his parents say? What would the community say?
At just the right time, an angel of the L-rd*** shows up in a dream and lays it all out for Joseph amid this chaotic storm. The baby growing inside of Mary is from the Holy Spirit. He is no ordinary baby! This baby is to be named “Immanuel,” meaning “G-d with us.”
In Jewish naming traditions, the name given to a child usually has family significance that highlights character traits seen in the child or hoped for in the child. In other New Testament passages this child is named “the Son of G-d,” “Yeshua” (or “Jesus” referring to the salvation he would bring to the world), or, as in this passage, “Immanuel.”
During the wedding chaos, “G-d with us” brings his shalom, his peace. His presence calms the storm. The angel knew Joseph needed that peace and to have his thoughts and fears stilled. That’s exactly what the L-rd provided through the angel.
This Christmas may your thoughts and fears be calmed by his shalom. May you accept Immanuel: G-d with us!
Immanuel, you are our peace in the chaos of life, our mooring in the storms of this world, and our surety in the uncertainty of our days. Help us draw near to you even as you draw near to us today.
Susan Hawkins
* Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, ©The Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1995. Used by permission.
** The above was taken from Glory to God in the Highest: A Christmas Devotional (Oakville: Proclamation, 2024).
*** Editor’s note: some believers avoid writing full divine names to guard against taking them in vain (e.g., Ex. 20:7) and as an expression of their reverence for him of whom they speak.
By job title, Alice is the office administrator at Oakridge. But her behind-the-scenes efforts go far beyond that! She is actively involved in the leadership team for the Tuesday evening women's bible study, she is on the mission committee, and she has recently both stepped into the leadership of church bridal and baby shower celebrations, and started teaching in our Ozone kids program. Oh, and if you see any special seasonal or holiday decorations around the church, it's a safe bet that Alice was involved!